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Scalar Potential


A conservative vector field (for which the curl del xF=0) may be assigned a scalar potential

 phi(x,y,z)-phi(0,0,0)=-int_CF·ds 
 =-int_((0,0,0))^((x,0,0))F_1(t,0,0)dt+int_((x,0,0))^((x,y,0))F_2(x,t,0)dt+int_((x,y,0))^(x,y,z)F_3(x,y,t)dt,

where int_CF·ds is a line integral.


See also

Line Integral, Potential Function, Vector Potential

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Cite this as:

Weisstein, Eric W. "Scalar Potential." From MathWorld--A Wolfram Web Resource. https://mathworld.wolfram.com/ScalarPotential.html

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