gradient of potential ?

Question

HI, My lecturer ask :
gradient of potential = limit where v->0 a function
what is that function?

Answer 1

"A potential gradient (E) is the local space rate of change of the potential.

In electrostatics then, it is the local space rate of change of the electric potential:

E = - delta V / delta s

Units are volts per meter (V/m). The electric field is the same as the potential gradient but with opposite sign."

From Wikipedia,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potential_gradient

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

In Physics the word “gradient” implies the limit of the ratio

{Increment in any quantity / increment in distance}; increment in distance tending to zero.

Velocity gradient is dv/dx where v is the velocity.

Potential gradient is dv/dx where v is the potential.

Pressure gradient is dp/dx where p is the pressure.

Temperature gradient is dT/dx where T is the temperature.

Volume gradient is dV/dx where V is the volume.

In all these x is the distance through which the quantities change their values.

dy/dx is simply called gradient when both y and x are distances.

Answer 3

Well...... You've managed to confuse *me*. And I thught I knew a bit about vector calculus. The greadient of a function (in this case, field strength) is a vector function that desctibes how quickly and in what directino the field intensity is changing. But there isn't enough information here to even begin to unravel your question.


Doug