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Poisson's equation
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<p>Poisson's equation is an <a href="/facts/Elliptic_partial_differential_equation/pQx2wB7V">elliptic partial differential equation</a> of broad utility in <a href="/facts/Theoretical_physics/Cs2Y12rQ">theoretical physics</a>. For example, the solution to Poisson's equation is the potential field caused by a given electric charge or mass density distribution; with the potential field known, one can then calculate the corresponding electrostatic or gravitational (force) field. It is a generalization of <a href="/facts/Laplace%2527s_equation/8n1YkmFS">Laplace's equation</a>, which is also frequently seen in physics. The equation is named after French mathematician and physicist <a href="/facts/Sim%25C3%25A9on_Denis_Poisson/zmsDITrY">Siméon Denis Poisson</a> who published it in 1823. </p>