In Physics, Symbols are used to denote various physical quantities. Physics Symbols are notations in Greek, Latin, and English letters that denote different physical quantities. These notations make the representation of the physical quantities convenient and simpler while solving numerical problems, expressing the formulas, and the derivation of theorems, etc.
In this article, we will discuss about various physics symbols, universal constant symbols, and special Greek letter symbols.
What are Physics Symbols?
Physics Symbols are the notations in Greek, Latin and English alphabets to express different physical quantities. There are specific symbols used for representing some universal constants. They are also used in calculations, derivations, etc.
The symbols are standardized by the International System of Quantities (ISQ). The symbols have been chosen to be relevant to the physical quantity they denote. For example, d is used for distance, v is for velocity, a is for acceleration, t is for time, etc.
Universal Constant Symbols
Below is a table discussing symbols for various universal constants along with their values and units.
|
Symbol |
Constant Name |
Value |
Units |
|---|---|---|---|
|
c |
2.998 x 108 |
m/s |
|
|
h |
6.626 x 10-34 |
J.s |
|
|
G |
6.674 x 10-11 |
m3.kg-1.s-2 |
|
|
kB |
1.381 x 10-23 |
J/K |
|
|
ϵ0 |
8.854 x 10-12 |
C2/N.m2 |
|
|
μ0 |
4π x 10−7 |
T.m/A |
|
|
NA |
6.022 x 1023 |
mol-1 |
|
|
σ |
5.670 x 10-8 |
W/(m2.K4) |
Physics Symbols for Some Basic Quantities
Physics is relevant in our day to day life activities and various quantities are used to express different entities. Symbols used to represent them are discussed in form of a table below:
|
Physical Quantity |
Symbol |
SI Unit |
|---|---|---|
|
m |
kg |
|
|
Frequency |
f, v |
Hertz(Hz) |
|
Distance |
d |
meter(m) |
|
Temperature |
T |
Kelvin (K) |
|
Time |
t |
seconds(s) |
|
v |
m/s |
|
|
a |
m/s2 |
|
|
F |
Newton(N) |
|
|
Energy |
E |
Joule(J) |
|
P |
Watt(W) |
|
|
Area |
A |
m2 |
|
Volume |
V |
m3 |
|
D |
kg/m3 |
|
|
Heat |
Q |
Joule(J) |
Physical Quantities Symbols
Physical quantities are the properties of objects or phenomena that can be measured or quantified. These are represented using various symbols so that calculation involving them can be done in a convenient manner. Symbols for different physical quantities used in domain of Mechanics, Electricity and Magnetism, and Wave optics are discussed as under.
Mechanics
Mechanics is the branch of physics which deals with various phenomena related to physical bodies when they are subjected to forces or displacements, i.e. bodies in motion. Various symbols used to denote different related physical quantities are discussed along with their SI units in form of the table below.
|
Symbol |
Name |
SI unit |
|---|---|---|
|
m |
Mass |
kg |
|
d |
Distance |
m |
|
s |
Displacement |
m |
|
v |
Velocity |
m/s |
|
a |
Acceleration |
m/s2 |
|
F |
Force |
Newton |
|
p |
kg.m/s |
|
|
L |
kg.m2/s |
|
|
J |
Newton second (N.s) |
|
|
𝝉 |
Newton meter (N.m) |
|
|
ω |
rad/s |
|
|
α |
rad/s2 |
|
|
I |
kg.m2 |
|
|
W |
Joule |
|
|
E |
Energy |
Joule |
|
KE |
Joule |
|
|
PE |
Joule |
|
|
μ |
Coefficient of Friction |
Unitless |
|
p |
Pascal(Pa) |
Electricity and Magnetism
Electricity and Magnetism is the branch of physics that deals with the study of various electric and magnetic phenomena, as well as their interactions. It comprises a wide range of topics ranging from behaviour of charges at rest to the generation and transmission of electric currents in electricity. And, in Magnetism, topics range from the properties of magnetic materials to the behaviour of moving charges in magnetic fields.
Symbols used to denote various physical quantities related to electricity and magnetism are discussed as under along with their SI units.
|
Symbol |
Name |
SI units |
|---|---|---|
|
Q |
Coulomb |
|
|
I |
Ampere |
|
|
V |
Volt |
|
|
R |
Ohm |
|
|
P |
Power |
Watt |
|
ρ |
Ohm meter |
|
|
E |
Newton per Coulomb |
|
|
B |
Tesla |
|
|
ϕB |
Weber |
|
|
ϕE |
V/m |
|
|
ϵ |
Electric permittivity |
Farad per meter |
|
μ |
Henry per meter |
|
|
C |
Farad |
|
|
λ |
Linear Charge Density |
Coulomb per meter |
|
σ |
Coulomb per square meter |
|
|
χ |
Unitless |
Wave Optics
Wave optics is the branch of physics that focuses on behaviour of light as it passess through different media and its interaction with various objects. It deals with the wave nature of light and the principles governing various phenomena such as propagation, diffraction, interference, polarization, etc.
Symbols related to wave optics are discussed as follows:
|
Symbol |
Name |
SI unit |
|---|---|---|
|
c |
Speed of Light |
m/s |
|
n |
unitless |
|
|
λ |
metre (m) |
|
|
f |
Frequency |
Hertz (Hz) |
|
T |
Time period |
second (s) |
|
v |
m/s |
|
|
k |
Wave number |
rad/m |
|
ϕ |
Phase |
rad |
|
ω |
Angular Frequency |
rad/s |
|
A |
m |
|
|
θ |
Angle |
rad |
|
γ |
Coherence |
meter |
Special Symbols (Greek Letters)
Below is a table discussing different Greek letters used as special symbols to denote various physical quantities and mathematical operators. These symbols are used to represent more than one physical entity at different times.
|
Symbol |
Name |
Usage |
|---|---|---|
|
α |
Alpha |
Angular acceleration, thermal expansion coefficient |
|
β |
Beta |
Angle of rotation in optics, beta decay constant |
|
γ |
Gamma |
Specific heat ratio, gamma-ray radiation |
|
𝛿 |
Delta |
Small change or variation |
|
ϵ |
Epsilon |
Permittivity of a medium, strain |
|
η |
Eta |
Efficiency, coefficient of viscosity |
|
λ |
Lambda |
Wavelength, decay constant |
|
μ |
Mu |
Coefficient of friction, permeability |
|
𝛎 |
Nu |
Frequency, kinematic viscosity |
|
𝛕 |
Tau |
Torque, time constant |
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Conclusion
In conclusion, it can be said that the physics symbols play a crucial role in representing the physical quantities, universal constants, and variables in the field of physics. The symbols make it convinent to perform calculations relating to the analysis of various physical phenomena.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Physics Symbols
What are physics symbols?
Physics symbols are the notations in form of characters used to denote physical quantities, basic operations, constants, variables, and other concepts in physics.
What is the need of physics symbols?
Physics symbols provide a convenient way to represent different physical quantities in a concise manner. They also help in standardization so that there is no linguistic barrier in expressing physical quantities worldwide.
What do Greek letters represent in physics?
Greek letters can be used to represent physical quantities, constants, variables, and mathematical operations in physics. For example, α can represent thermal expansion coefficient, β can represent beta decay constant, and ω can represent angular velocity.
What are some commonly used physics symbols?
Some commonly used physics symbols are, F for force, m for mass, v for velocity, a for acceleration, Q for charge, V for voltage, etc.