| :a. A [[quantity]] of [[energy]], [[work]], etc., expressed by a potential [[function]] and associated with each point in a [[gravitation]]al, electrical, or other field, being equivalent to that required to move a body, charge, etc., from the given point to a reference point whose potential is [[Arbitrary|arbitrarily]] defined as zero (e.g. the [[earth]], [[infinity]]); such a quantity considered as a [[quality]] or condition of the [[matter]], electricity, etc., in question. Also: a potential function; (more widely) any [[function]] from which a [[vector]] field F can be derived by differentiation, esp. (more fully scalar potential) a scalar function such that F = - grad , and (more fully vector potential) a vector field A such that F = curl A. action, electric, gravitational, ionization, oxidation, velocity potential, etc.: see the first element. [Introduced in 1828, by G. Green, with special reference to electricity | | :a. A [[quantity]] of [[energy]], [[work]], etc., expressed by a potential [[function]] and associated with each point in a [[gravitation]]al, electrical, or other field, being equivalent to that required to move a body, charge, etc., from the given point to a reference point whose potential is [[Arbitrary|arbitrarily]] defined as zero (e.g. the [[earth]], [[infinity]]); such a quantity considered as a [[quality]] or condition of the [[matter]], electricity, etc., in question. Also: a potential function; (more widely) any [[function]] from which a [[vector]] field F can be derived by differentiation, esp. (more fully scalar potential) a scalar function such that F = - grad , and (more fully vector potential) a vector field A such that F = curl A. action, electric, gravitational, ionization, oxidation, velocity potential, etc.: see the first element. [Introduced in 1828, by G. Green, with special reference to electricity |
| :b. More fully thermodynamic potential. Any of various thermodynamic functions [[mathematically]] [[analogous]] to electric and gravitational potentials, including Gibbs free [[energy]], Helmholtz free energy, enthalpy, internal energy, and [[chemical]] potential. | | :b. More fully thermodynamic potential. Any of various thermodynamic functions [[mathematically]] [[analogous]] to electric and gravitational potentials, including Gibbs free [[energy]], Helmholtz free energy, enthalpy, internal energy, and [[chemical]] potential. |