Physics Symbols
Alpha
Lowercase alpha (α) most often denotes angular acceleration — the rotational counterpart o…
Angstrom
The angstrom symbol (Å) denotes a unit of length equal to 10⁻¹⁰ metres — about the diamete…
Approximately equal
The approximately-equal sign (≈) states that two quantities are close but not exactly equa…
Beta
Lowercase beta (β) in relativity denotes the velocity ratio v/c — an object's speed as a f…
Degree Celsius
The degree Celsius symbol (°C) marks temperatures on the Celsius scale, where water freeze…
Chi
Lowercase chi (χ) denotes electric and magnetic susceptibility — how strongly a material p…
Degree
The degree symbol (°) marks angles in degrees — 360° per full circle — and combines with C…
Delta
Uppercase delta (Δ) means 'change in' — Δv is the change in velocity, Δt the change in tim…
Epsilon
Lowercase epsilon (ε) most often denotes permittivity — especially ε₀, the vacuum permitti…
Eta
Lowercase eta (η) is the standard symbol for efficiency (useful output over input) and for…
Gamma
Lowercase gamma (γ) is the Lorentz factor of special relativity — the factor by which time…
H-bar
H-bar (ħ) is the symbol for the reduced Planck constant — Planck's constant divided by 2π.…
Infinity
The infinity symbol (∞) denotes an unbounded quantity or limit. In physics it marks ideali…
Integral
The integral sign (∫) denotes integration — summing infinitely many infinitesimal pieces. …
Iota
Lowercase iota (ι) is one of the least-used Greek letters in physics — it occasionally den…
Kappa
Lowercase kappa (κ) denotes thermal conductivity — how well a material conducts heat. It a…
Lambda
Lowercase lambda (λ) most often denotes wavelength — the distance between repeating points…
Mu
Lowercase mu (μ) is the standard symbol for the coefficient of friction, magnetic permeabi…
Nabla (del)
Nabla (∇) is the 'del' operator of vector calculus. Applied to a scalar it gives the gradi…
Nu
Lowercase nu (ν) is the standard symbol for frequency in wave and quantum physics (E = hν)…
Omega
Lowercase omega (ω) denotes angular velocity or angular frequency — how fast something rot…
Omicron
Lowercase omicron (ο) is essentially unused in physics formulas because it is visually ide…
Partial
The partial derivative symbol (∂) denotes differentiation with respect to one variable whi…
Percent
The percent sign (%) means 'per hundred' — a fraction multiplied by 100. In physics it exp…
Phi
Lowercase phi (Φ, often written φ) denotes magnetic flux — the amount of magnetic field pa…
Pi
Lowercase pi (π) is the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter, approximately 3…
Proportional to
The proportional-to sign (∝) states that two quantities scale together with a constant rat…
Psi
Lowercase psi (ψ) is the standard symbol for the quantum wave function — the mathematical …
Rho
Lowercase rho (ρ) most often denotes density — mass per unit volume. In electricity it is …
Sigma
Lowercase sigma (σ) wears several hats: electrical conductivity, mechanical stress, and — …
Tau
Lowercase tau (τ) denotes torque — the rotational equivalent of force — and also the time …
Therefore
The therefore sign (∴) marks the conclusion of a logical chain in derivations and proofs: …
Theta
Lowercase theta (θ) almost always denotes an angle — a launch angle, an angle of incidence…
Upsilon
Lowercase upsilon (υ) is rarely used in basic physics — its main appearance is the Upsilon…
Xi
Lowercase xi (ξ) denotes the damping ratio in oscillation theory — how quickly vibrations …
Zeta
Lowercase zeta (ζ) is best known for the zeta potential — the electric potential at a part…