Physics Symbols and Units I

Symbols in Physics

• Distance is represented by the symbol d.
• Displacement is denoted as Δx.
• A change in height is indicated by Δh.
• The unit of measurement for both distance and displacement is the meter.
• The abbreviation for meter is m.

Speed and Velocity

• Speed or velocity is symbolized by v.
• The units for speed or velocity are measured in meters per second.
• The abbreviation for meters per second is m/s.
• vi represents initial or starting speed.
• vf symbolizes final or ending speed.
• Changes in velocity are expressed as Δv.

Acceleration

• Acceleration is indicated by the symbol a.
• The unit of measurement for acceleration is meters per second squared (m/s²).
• The abbreviation for meters per second squared is m/s².

Time

• A time interval is represented by Δt.
• The unit for measuring time is the second.
• The abbreviation for second is s.

Force

• Force is represented by the symbol F.
• The unit for force is the newton.
• The abbreviation for newton is N.
• The unit abbreviation N is defined as a combination of simpler units: kg∙m/s².

Mass

• Mass is denoted by the symbol m.
• The unit of mass is the kilogram.
• The abbreviation for kilogram is kg.

Hidden Givens

• For an object in free fall, the hidden given is a = g = -9.8 m/s².
• If an object starts from rest, the hidden given is vi = 0 m/s.
• When an object is dropped, the two hidden givens are vi = 0 m/s and a = g = -9.8 m/s².
• When an object comes to a stop, the hidden given is vf = 0 m/s.