155 Appendix D. Glossary of Key Symbols and Notation
155 Appendix D. Glossary of Key Symbols and Notation
In this glossary, key symbols and notation are briefly defined.
| Symbol | Definition |
|---|---|
| [latex]\overline{\text{any symbol}}\\[/latex] | average (indicated by a bar over a symbol—e.g., [latex]\overline{v}\\[/latex] is average velocity) |
| °C | Celsius degree |
| °F | Fahrenheit degree |
| // | parallel |
| ⊥ | perpendicular |
| [latex]\propto\\[/latex] | proportional to |
| ± | plus or minus |
| 0 | zero as a subscript denotes an initial value |
| α | alpha rays |
| α | angular acceleration |
| α | temperature coefficient(s) of resistivity |
| β | beta rays |
| β | sound level |
| β | volume coefficient of expansion |
| β− | electron emitted in nuclear beta decay |
| β+ | positron decay |
| γ | gamma rays |
| γ | surface tension |
| [latex]\displaystyle\gamma=\frac{1}{\sqrt{1-\frac{v^2}{c^2}}}\\[/latex] | a constant used in relativity |
| Δ | change in whatever quantity follows |
| δ | uncertainty in whatever quantity follows |
| ΔE | change in energy between the initial and final orbits of an electron in an atom |
| ΔE | uncertainty in energy |
| Δm | difference in mass between initial and final products |
| ΔN | number of decays that occur |
| Δp | change in momentum |
| Δp | uncertainty in momentum |
| ΔPEg | change in gravitational potential energy |
| Δθ | rotation angle |
| Δs | distance traveled along a circular path |
| Δt | uncertainty in time |
| Δt0 | proper time as measured by an observer at rest relative to the process |
| ΔV | potential difference |
| Δx | uncertainty in position |
| ε0 | permittivity of free space |
| η | viscosity |
| θ | angle between the force vector and the displacement vector |
| θ | angle between two lines |
| θ | contact angle |
| θ | direction of the resultant |
| θb | Brewster’s angle |
| θc | critical angle |
| κ | dielectric constant |
| λ | decay constant of a nuclide |
| λ | wavelength |
| λn | wavelength in a medium |
| μ0 | permeability of free space |
| μk | coefficient of kinetic friction |
| μs | coefficient of static friction |
| ve | electron neutrino |
| π+ | positive pion |
| π− | negative pion |
| π0 | neutral pion |
| ρ | density |
| ρc | critical density, the density needed to just halt universal expansion |
| ρfl | fluid density |
| [latex]\overline{\rho}_{\text{obj}}\\[/latex] | average density of an object |
| [latex]\displaystyle\frac{\rho}{\rho_{\text{w}}}\\[/latex] | specific gravity |
| τ | characteristic time constant for a resistance and inductance (RL) or resistance and capacitance (RC) circuit |
| τ | characteristic time for a resistor and capacitor (RC) circuit |
| τ | torque |
| Υ | upsilon meson |
| Φ | magnetic flux |
| ϕ | phase angle |
| Ω | ohm (unit) |
| ω | angular velocity |
| A | ampere (current unit) |
| A | area |
| A | cross-sectional area |
| A | total number of nucleons |
| a | acceleration |
| aB | Bohr radius |
| ac | centripetal acceleration |
| at | tangential acceleration |
| AC | alternating cu