【化】 势函数

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.