Physics equations meaning

u

Initial velocity (starting speed)

v

Final velocity (ending speed)

a

Acceleration (rate of change of velocity)

t

Time taken

s

displacement (distance in a direction)

v

Wave speed

f

Frequency (how many waves per second)

λ (lambda)

Wavelength (distance between waves)

n

refraction index (how much light bends)

c

speed of light in vacuum

v

speed of light in a medium

i

Angle of incidence

r

Angle of rarefraction

C

Critical angle

F

Force

m

Mass

a

Acceleration

W

Weight (force due to gravity)

g

Gravitational field strength

p

Momentum

Δ (delta)

Change in something

μ (mu)

coefficient of friction (how “grippy” a surface is)

N

Normal contact force (support force from a surface)

V

Potential difference (voltage)

I

Current (flow of charge)

R

Resistance

E

Energy transferred

P

Power (rate of energy transferred)

Q

Thermal energy (heat energy transferred)

c

Specific heat capacity (energy needed)

ΔT or

(triangleT)

Change in temperature

L

Specific latent heat (energy to change state)

I

Intensity (energy per area)

r

distance from source