Potential theory

In mathematics and mathematical physics, potential theory is the study of harmonic functions. The term "potential theory" was coined in 19th-century physics, when it was realized that the fundamental forces of nature could be modeled using potentials which satisfy Laplace's equation. Although more accurate theories - for example classical electrostatics and Newtonian gravity - were developed later, the name "potential theory" remained.

Potential theory

In mathematics and mathematical physics, potential theory is the study of harmonic functions. The term "potential theory" was coined in 19th-century physics, when it was realized that the fundamental forces of nature could be modeled using potentials which satisfy Laplace's equation. Although more accurate theories - for example classical electrostatics and Newtonian gravity - were developed later, the name "potential theory" remained.