Definition of potential. Meaning of potential. Synonyms of potential

Here you will find one or more explanations in English for the word potential. Also in the bottom left of the page several parts of wikipedia pages related to the word potential and, of course, potential synonyms and on the right images related to the word potential.

Definition of potential

Potential
Potential Po*ten"tial, n. 1. Anything that may be possible; a possibility; potentially. --Bacon. 2. (Math.) In the theory of gravitation, or of other forces acting in space, a function of the rectangular coordinates which determine the position of a point, such that its differential coefficients with respect to the co["o]rdinates are equal to the components of the force at the point considered; -- also called potential function, or force function. It is called also Newtonian potential when the force is directed to a fixed center and is inversely as the square of the distance from the center. 3. (Elec.) The energy of an electrical charge measured by its power to do work; hence, the degree of electrification as referred to some standard, as that of the earth; electro-motive force.
Potential
Potential Po*ten"tial, a. [Cf. F. potentiel. See Potency.] 1. Being potent; endowed with energy adequate to a result; efficacious; influential. [Obs.] ``And hath in his effect a voice potential.' --Shak. 2. Existing in possibility, not in actuality. ``A potential hero.' --Carlyle. Potential existence means merely that the thing may be at ome time; actual existence, that it now is. --Sir W. Hamilton. Potential cautery. See under Cautery. Potential energy. (Mech.) See the Note under Energy. Potential mood, or mode (Gram.), that form of the verb which is used to express possibility, liberty, power, will, obligation, or necessity, by the use of may, can, must, might, could, would, or should; as, I may go; he can write.

Meaning of potential from wikipedia

- Potential generally refers to a currently unrealized ability. The term is used in a wide variety of fields, from physics to the social sciences to indicate...
- An action potential occurs when the membrane potential of a specific cell rapidly rises and falls. This depolarization then causes adjacent locations to...
- In physics, potential energy is the energy held by an object because of its position relative to other objects, stresses within itself, its electric charge...
- In thermodynamics, the chemical potential of a species is the energy that can be absorbed or released due to a change of the particle number of the given...
- Electric potential (also called the electric field potential, potential drop, the electrostatic potential) is defined as the amount of work/energy needed...
- also known as (electrical) potential difference, electric pressure, or electric tension is the difference in electric potential between two points. In a...
- A potential well is the region surrounding a local minimum of potential energy. Energy captured in a potential well is unable to convert to another type...
- Membrane potential (also transmembrane potential or membrane voltage) is the difference in electric potential between the interior and the exterior of...
- Look up potential or potentially in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. Potential generally refers to a currently unrealized ability, in a wide variety of...
- In classical mechanics, the gravitational potential is a scalar potential ****ociating with each point in space the work (energy transferred) per unit...