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2 Chapter 1 • Dynamics


Te following points will prove helpful in the correct usage of symbols and abbreviations. • Symbols should be used only when theirmeaning is clear. • Full stopsmay be omitted inmulti-word abbreviations, for example; e.m.f. or emf, p.d. or pd, A.C. or AC, a.c. or ac, D.C. or DC and d.c. or dc.


• In a compound unit symbol, a full stop denotesmultiplication, e.g. N.m (the full stop may also be leſt out, e.g. Nm), and a forward slash (/) symbolises division, e.g. m/s (metres per second) or 3/4 (3 ÷ 4).


• A unit symbol should be used only after a numerical value, e.g. 5 kg, 10 Nmand 12 A. • A unit symbol is the same for the singular and plural, e.g. 1 kg or 5 kg and 1 V or 12 V.


It is common practice to differentiate between two or more similar quantity symbols by using numerals or letters placed aſter and lower than the symbol, e.g.: d1 : d2 (different diameters) RP (resistance of parallel circuit) a1 : a2 (different areas) RS (resistance of series circuit)


Small and capital letters are also oſten used, e.g.: d : D (different diameters) a : A (different areas)


Symbols such as: µ (micro, i.e. × 1–6) m(milli, i.e. × 10–3) (centi, i.e. × 10–2) k (kilo, i.e. × 103) M(mega, i.e. × 106)


are oſten used in front of unit symbols to abbreviate a numerical value, e.g.: 0,000 000 017Ωm or 0,017 × 10–6Ωm becomes 0,017 µΩm 0,003 V 0,45m


54 500m 7 550 000 J


or 3 × 10–3 v or 45 × 10–2 m or 54,5 × 103 m or 7,55 × 106 J


becomes 3 mV becomes 45 cm becomes 54,5 km becomes 7,55 MJ


Numerous errors occur due to incorrect units being used. Table 1.2 shows examples of correct conversions.


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