List of Physics Symbols and Names – Structured & Easy To Understand

In Physics, we use numerous symbols or notations to denote various quantities. These denotations make the representation and understanding of the quantities much easier.

In this article, we will touch upon the majority of the most popular physics symbols.

Nature of Physics Symbols

It’s interesting to note that a few physics symbols are pretty common and confusing (such as  “d” for distance), while a few are unrelatable (such as “c” for the speed of light). Now, that may generate confusion!

Below is a well-elaborated list of the most commonly used physics symbols with their SI units. Not that a specific symbol might relate to multiple quantities as well.

Symbols for physical quantities and their international units: 

Space & Time

Symbol	Quantity	SI unit
s, s	displacement, distance	meter
r, r	position, separation, radius, the radius of curvature	meter
x, y, z	cartesian coordinates	meter
θ, φ, θ, φ	angle, angular displacement, angular separation, rotation angle	radian
r, θ, φ	spherical coordinates	meter, radian
î, ĵ, k̂	cartesian unit vectors	unitless
ρ, φ, z	cylindrical coordinates	meter, radian
r̂, θ̂, φ̂	spherical unit vectors	unitless
n̂	normal unit vector	unitless
ρ̂, φ̂, ẑ	cylindrical unit vectors	unitless
h	height, depth	meter
t̂	tangential unit vector	unitless
d	distance, separation, thickness	meter
ℓ, L	length	meter
D	diameter	meter
t	thickness	meter
A, A	area, cross-sectional area, projected area, surface area	square meter
C	circumference	meter
t	time, duration	second
V	volume	cubic meter
τ	time constant	second
T	period, periodic time	second
ω	angular frequency	radian per second
f	frequency	hertz

Mechanics

Symbol	Quantity	SI unit	Symbol
				a, a	acceleration	meter per second squared	m/s2
v, v	velocity, speed	meter per second	m/s
g, g	gravitational field, acceleration due to gravity	meter per second squared	m/s2
ac, ac	centripetal acceleration, centrifugal acceleration	meter per second squared	m/s2
F, F	force	newton	N
m	mass	kilogram	kg
Fn, N, N	normal force, normal	newton	N
Fg, W, W	force of gravity, weight	newton	N
μs, μk	coefficient of friction (static, kinetic)	unitless
Ff, fs, fk	force of friction (static, kinetic)	newton	N
J, J	impulse	newton second	Ns
p, p	momentum	kilogram meter per second	kg m/s
E	energy, total energy	joule	J
W	work	joule	J
U, Ug, Us	potential energy (gravitational, spring)	joule	J
K, Kt, Kr	kinetic energy (translational, rotational)	joule	J
η	efficiency	unitless
Vg	gravitational potential	joule per kilogram	J/kg
ω, ω	rotational velocity, rotational speed	radian per second	rad/s
P	power	watt	W
τ, τ	torque	newton meter	N m
α, α	rotational acceleration	radian per second squared	rad/s2
L, L	angular momentum	kilogram meter squared per second	kg m2/s
I	moment of inertia	kilogram meter squared	kg m2
k	spring constant	newton per meter	N/m
H, H	angular impulse	newton meter second	N m s
σ	normal stress	pascal	Pa
P	pressure	pascal	Pa
ρ	density, volume mass density	kilogram per cubic meter	kg/m3
τ	shear stress	pascal	Pa
λ	linear mass density	kilogram per meter	kg/m
σ	area mass density, superficial mass density	kilogram per square meter	kg/m2
qm	mass flow rate	kilogram per second	kg/s
FB, B, B	buoyancy, buoyant force	newton	N
FD, R, R	drag, aerodynamic drag, air resistance	newton	N
qV	volume flow rate	cubic meter per second	m3/s
η	viscosity, dynamic viscosity	pascal second	Pa s
C, CD	drag coefficient, coefficient of drag	unitless
Ma	mach number	unitless
ν	kinematic viscosity	square meter per second	m2/s
Fr	Froude number	unitless
Re	Reynolds number	unitless
G	shear modulus, modulus of rigidity	pascal	Pa
E	young’s modulus, modulus of elasticity	pascal	Pa
ε	linear strain	unitless
K	bulk modulus, modulus of compression	pascal	Pa
θ	volume strain	unitless
γ	shear strain	unitless
γ	surface tension	newton per meter	N/m

Thermal Physics

Symbol	Quantity	SI unit	Symbol
α	linear expansivity, coefficient of linear thermal expansion	inverse kelvin	K−1
T	temperature	kelvin	K
Q	heat	joule	J
β	volume expansivity, coefficient of volume thermal expansion	inverse kelvin	K−1
L	latent heat, specific latent heat	joule per kilogram	J/kg
c	specific heat, specific heat capacity	joule per kilogram kelvin	J/kg K
N	number of particles	unitless
n	amount of substance	mole
k	thermal conductivity	watt per meter kelvin	W/m K
P	heat flow rate	watt	W
U	internal energy	joule	J
ε	emissivity	unitless
w	ways, number of identical microstates	unitless
S	entropy	joule per kelvin	J/K
COP	coefficient of performance	unitless

Waves & Optics

Symbol	Quantity	SI unit	Symbol
v, c	wave speed	meter per second	m/s
λ	wavelength	meter	m
L	level	decibel, decineper	dB, dNp
I	intensity	watt per square meter	W/m2
f	focal length	meter	m
n	index of refraction, absolute index of refraction	unitless
M	magnification	unitless

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Electricity & Magnetism

Symbol	Quantity	SI unit	Symbol
ρ	charge density, volume charge density	coulomb per cubic meter	C/m3
q, Q	charge, electric charge	coulomb	C
λ	linear charge density	coulomb per meter	C/m
σ	area charge density, superficial charge density	coulomb per square meter	C/m2
E, E	electric field	newton per coulomb, volt per meter	N/C, V/m
FE, FE	electric force, electrostatic force	newton	N
U, UE	potential energy, electric potential energy	joule	J
ΦE	electric flux	newton meter squared/coulomb, volt meter	N m2/C, V m
ℰ	electromotive force, emf	volt	V
V, VE	voltage, potential, electric potential	volt	V
κ	dielectric constant	unitless
C	capacitance	farad	F
R, r	resistance, electrical resistance, internal resistance	ohm	Ω
I	current, electric current	ampère	A
G	conductance	siemens	S
ρ	resistivity	ohm meter	Ω m
FB, FB	magnetic force	newton	N
σ	conductivity	Siemens per meter	S/m
ΦB	magnetic flux	weber	Wb
B, B	magnetic field	tesla	T
n	turns per unit length turns density	inverse meter	m−1
N	number of turns	unitless
η	energy density	joule per cubic meter	J/m3

Conclusion

Yes, they are a lot and truly a lot. They truly never seem to end, but when you try to learn the first twenty, you’d certainly feel that these aren’t that tough. So, do one thing – go slow and steady! Practice and remember these signs and symbols since they are going to help you in numerous exams.

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