Physics Symbols

A physical quantity refers to a property of a system or material that one can quantify by measurement. Furthermore, physics symbols for these quantities are set out in ISO/IEC 80000, the IUPAC green book, and the IUPAP red book as a result of international recommendations. For example, the epsilon symbol in physics is ϵ.

Introduction to Physics Symbols

The expression of the laws of physics certainly takes place in the form of physical quantities such as temperature, density, time, force, and various other parameters. Moreover, these quantities are represented by certain physics symbols. For example, the symbol of distance in physics is l, d, and r.

To better understand physics symbols, one must certainly understand the division of physical quantities into two classes- scalar quantities and vector quantities. Furthermore, a scalar quantity is one that has only magnitude while a vector quantity has both direction and magnitude. Therefore, a tree of 20 metres height is an example of scalar quantity while a 4 Newton force acting on an object is an example of a vector quantity.

How do we Measure Physics Symbols?

In physics and measurement, we must certainly know about physical quantities and their different types. Furthermore, here we will measure and compare the same kind of physical quantities with the help of numbers and units. Moreover, these numbers and units together form a physical quantity.

A car is certainly heavier than a bicycle but how many times is the main question? Furthermore, one can easily answer this question by choosing standard mass with a physics symbol and calling it unit mass. Moreover, the expression of physical quantities can take place in terms of a unit of that quantity.

The measurement of the quantity involves two parts. Moreover, the first part shows the number of times of the standard unit while the second part is representative of the unit’s name. Furthermore, one must try to express the standard units of fundamental physical quantities like temperature, length, mass, time, and derived quantities in terms of fundamental quantities.

One must certainly check whether the formulas of quantities with physics symbols are correct or not. Furthermore, one must try to spot the error in the measurements of physics symbols. For efficiency, the denotation of physics symbols can certainly take place within the brackets.

It is certainly essential to have an idea about SI units and practical units like tons, litres, etc. which we use on a daily basis. Furthermore, one must try to remember the physics symbols and units of quantities by regularly going through the chapters and watching video lectures on such concepts.

Moreover, one must practice a sufficient amount of problems for the purpose of determining units, symbols, dimensions, and error measurement. This would certainly make it easy and comfortable to remember different formulas and symbols.

Physics Symbols for Basic Quantities

Physics symbols, scalar/vector categorization, and SI Units of Some Basic Quantities:

Mass

Symbol – m

Furthermore, Scalar/Vector  – Scalar

SI unit – Kilogram (Kg)

Time   

Symbol – t

Furthermore, Scalar/Vector – Scalar

SI Unit – Seconds (s)

Distance, Length

Symbol – l, d, r

Furthermore, Scalar/Vector – Scalar

SI Unit – Meter (m)

Area   

Symbol – A

Furthermore, Scalar/Vector – Scalar

SI Unit – m²

Volume           

Symbol – V

Furthermore, Scalar/Vector – Scalar

SI Unit – m³

Density           

Symbol – D

Furthermore, Scalar/Vector – Scalar

SI Unit – kg/m³

Temperature  

Symbol – T

Furthermore, Scalar/Vector – Scalar

SI Unit – Kelvin (K)

Frequency      

Symbol – f, v

Furthermore, Scalar/Vector – Scalar

SI Unit – Hertz (Hz)

Heat   

Symbol – Q

Furthermore, Scalar/Vector – Vector

SI Unit – Joule (J)

Specific Heat Capacity           

Symbol – c

Furthermore, Scalar/Vector – Scalar

SI Unit – J kg^-1 K^-1

Wavelength    

Symbol – λ

Furthermore, Scalar/Vector – Scalar

SI Unit – meter (m)

Angular Displacement           

Symbol – θ

Furthermore, Scalar/Vector – Scalar

SI Unit – Radian (rad)

Speed of light & sound           

Symbol – c

Furthermore, Scalar/Vector – Scalar

SI Unit – m/s

Angular frequency     

Symbol – ω

Furthermore, Scalar/Vector – Pseudovector

SI Unit – Radian per second (rad/s)

Physics symbols, scalar/vector categorization, and SI Units in Mechanics:

Velocity          

Symbol – v

Furthermore, Scalar/Vector – Vector

SI Unit – m/s

Acceleration   

Symbol – a

Furthermore, Scalar/Vector – Vector

SI Unit – meters per second squared (m/s²)

Angular Acceleration 

Symbol – α

Furthermore, Scalar/Vector – Vector

SI Unit – radian per second squared (rad/s²)

Momentum    

Symbol – p

Furthermore, Scalar/Vector – Vector

SI Unit – kg⋅m/s

Period 

Symbol – T

Furthermore, Scalar/Vector – Scalar

SI Unit – S or sec

Force  

Symbol – F

Furthermore, Scalar/Vector – Vector

SI Unit – Newton (N)

Torque

Symbol – T

Furthermore, Scalar/Vector – Vector

SI Unit – N⋅m

Power 

Symbol – P

Furthermore, Scalar/Vector – Scalar

SI Unit – Watt (W)

Mechanical Work      

Symbol – W

Furthermore, Scalar/Vector – Scalar

SI Unit – Joule (J)

Energy

Symbol – E

Furthermore, Scalar/Vector – Scalar

SI Unit – Joule (J)

Pressure         

Symbol – p

Furthermore, Scalar/Vector – Scalar

SI Unit – Pascal (Pa)

Moment of Inertia     

Symbol – I

Furthermore, Scalar/Vector – Scalar

SI Unit – kg.m²

Angular Momentum  

Symbol – L

Furthermore, Scalar/Vector – Vector

SI Unit – kg⋅m²s^-1

Friction           

Symbol – f

Furthermore, Scalar/Vector – Vector

SI Unit – Newton (N)

Coefficient of Friction

Symbol – µ

Furthermore, Scalar/Vector – Scalar

SI Unit – unitless

Kinetic Energy

Symbol – K

Furthermore, Scalar/Vector – Scalar

SI Unit – Joule (J)

Potential Energy        

Symbol – U

Furthermore, Scalar/Vector – Scalar

SI Unit – Joule (J)

Physics symbols, scalar/vector categorization, and SI Units in Electricity & Magnetism:

Charge           

Symbol – q, Q

Furthermore, Scalar/Vector – scalar

SI Unit – Coulomb (C)

Current           

Symbol – I

Furthermore, Scalar/Vector – scalar

SI Unit – Ampere (A)

Resistance      

Symbol – R

Furthermore, Scalar/Vector – scalar

SI Unit – Ohms (Ω)

Inductance     

Symbol – L

Furthermore, Scalar/Vector – scalar

SI Unit – Henry (H)

Capacitance   

Symbol – C

Furthermore, Scalar/Vector – scalar

SI Unit – Farad (F)

Electric Potential Difference 

Symbol – V

Furthermore, Scalar/Vector – scalar

SI Unit – Volt (V)

Electric Field  

Symbol – E

Furthermore, Scalar/Vector – vector

SI Unit – Newton per coulomb (N C-1)

Magnetic Field           

Symbol – B

Furthermore, Scalar/Vector – scalar

SI Unit – Tesla

FAQs on Physics Symbols

Question 1: What is meant by physics symbols?

Answer 1: The representation of physical quantities takes place by physics symbols. For example, the epsilon symbol in physics is ϵ.

Question 2: What are the symbol, scalar/vector categorization, and SI Unit of force?

Answer 2: The symbol of force is certainly F. Moreover, when it comes to the scalar/vector categorization, force is a vector. Furthermore, the SI Unit of force happens to be Newton (N).