What is Symbols: Definition and 292 Discussions

A symbol is a mark, sign, or word that indicates, signifies, or is understood as representing an idea, object, or relationship. Symbols allow people to go beyond what is known or seen by creating linkages between otherwise very different concepts and experiences. All communication (and data processing) is achieved through the use of symbols. Symbols take the form of words, sounds, gestures, ideas, or visual images and are used to convey other ideas and beliefs. For example, a red octagon is a common symbol for "STOP"; on maps, blue lines often represent rivers; and a red rose often symbolizes love and compassion. Numerals are symbols for numbers; letters of an alphabet may be symbols for certain phonemes; and personal names are symbols representing individuals. The variable 'x', in a mathematical equation, may symbolize the position of a particle in space.
The academic study of symbols is semiotics. In cartography, an organized collection of symbols forms a legend for a map.

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  1. C

    What are the symbols in these electric motor equations?

    I'm revising for an exam and i’ve come across these equations in my lecture notes. Has anyone seen these equations before, and can tell me what the symbols represent? T = k1 ᶲ Ia Ea = k1ᶲ2πN = k2ᶲN Ea = Va-IaRa N = (Va-IaRa) / (2πk1ᶲ) Im guessing T is torque, Ea is the volatge across the...
  2. M

    Quation about term symbols: N atom

    So the term symbol for the nitrogen atom is 4S3/2 This means L=0, S=3/2, hence J=3/2. My question is that if S=3/2 than this is a quartet, meaning there are four levels, yet I only ever see one state listed on energy diagrams? What gives? Obviously, I'm still trying to learn term symbols Are...
  3. Q

    Convert Name to Math Symbols

    How do I convert a word or name to math symbols? E.g. the letter N can be converted to ℕ (all natural numbers), the letter Z can be converted to the letter ℤ (set of integers), and the letter R converted to ℝ (all real numbers). Basically, I want to convert someone's name into math...
  4. S

    MHB Math Symbols: Additions, Subtractions & Brackets

    \begin{array}{cc} \text{\boxed{text}} & \boxed{text} \\ \\ \text{\overbrace{x + y}^{3}} & \overbrace{x + y}^3 \\ \\ \text{\underbrace{x+y}_{5}} & \underbrace{x+y}_5 \\ \\ \text{{9\choose3}} & {9\choose3} \\ \\ \text{\binom{9}{3}} & \binom{9}{3} \\ \\ \text{\rlap{////}3a^2b} &...
  5. T

    Explanation of 6j Symbols (Tetrahedron)

    Hello all! (I'm new to the forum) I'd like to ask if you could give me a simple explanation regarding the 6j symbols: I don't understand their formulation in terms of Clebsch-Gordan coefficients with three angular momenta and the related "tetrahedron rule". Alternatively, could you please...
  6. A

    Another christoffel symbols from the metric question

    Another "christoffel symbols from the metric" question Homework Statement Find the Christoffel symbols from the metric: ds^2 = -A(r)dt^2 + B(r)dr^2 Homework Equations \frac{d}{dt} \left( \frac{\partial L}{\partial \dot{x^a}} \right) = \frac{\partial L}{\partial x^a} The...
  7. C

    Someone me with these symbols?

    Homework Statement I'm doing an impact physics for engineering question and I cannot tell the difference between (v_A)_2x & (v_(Ax))_2. * I don't think I'll need help with solving the actual question if I understand these variables. Homework Equations N/A The Attempt at a...
  8. M

    Symmetric group S3 with symbols

    Homework Statement Determine the orders of all the elements for the symmetric group on 3 symbols S3. Homework Equations _______________________________________ The Attempt at a Solution 3 symbols : e,a,b I don't know how to do the S3 table using just these 3 letters I can do...
  9. W

    Are Christoffel symbols measurable?

    Is it true that in GR the gauge is described by Guv while the potential is the Christoffel symbols just like the gauge in EM is described by phase and the potential by the electric and magnetic scalar and vector potential and the observable the electromagnetic field and the Ricci curvature...
  10. G

    How do you write equations in LaTeX for both Windows and Mac?

    is there an easier way to insert unicode / symbols then to troll through the insert menue of word ? eg this took me 3min to do! v_r=c*((f-f^'))⁄f^' well at least it looked correct on windows but has reverted to normal text on this thread.. how do you guys( and gals) write/post your...
  11. T

    Quick and easy question about what symbols to use (I already solved the problem)

    Homework Statement An aluminum ring of radius r1 and resistance R is placed around the top of a long air-core solenoid with n turns per meter and smaller radius r2 as shown in Figure P31.7. Assume that the axial component of the field produced by the solenoid over the area of the end of the...
  12. P

    Forces as Chrsitoffel symbols

    Does anyone have any references in the literature that talk about interpreting forces as Christoffel symbols? Particularly interesting would be references which discuss the role of forces (or the lack of a role of forces) in generally covariant re-formulations of classical mechanics. I...
  13. D

    Solving 3j Symbols Problem to Show Total Angular Momentum is 0

    Homework Statement Show that the state: |\Psi\rangle=\sum\limits_{m_1\ m_2\ m_3}\begin{pmatrix} j_1 & j_2 & j_3 \\ m_1 & m_2 & m_3 \\ \end{pmatrix}|j_1\ m_1\rangle |j_2\ m_2\rangle |j_3\ m_3\rangle has the total angular momentum equal to zero. Homework Equations There are bunch of...
  14. S

    What do I do with these christoffel symbols?

    Hey guys I'm a bit new to GR and stuck on this question? :/. So we are given that: d2xi/dλ2+\Gammaijk dxi/dλ dxj/dλ = 0 and asked to show that d/dλ(gijdxi/dλdxj/dλ) = 0 So I expanded using the product rule to get: \Gammaijkd2xi/dλ2 dxj/dλ +\Gammaijk dxi/dλd2 xj/dλ2 Then rearranged the...
  15. 3

    Prove that two transformation laws of the Christoffel symbols are the same

    Homework Statement Prove that the transformation law \Gamma^{\sigma '}_{\lambda '\rho '}=\frac{\partial x^\nu}{\partial x^{\lambda '}}\frac{\partial x^\rho}{\partial x^{\rho '}}\frac{\partial x^{\sigma '}}{\partial x^{\mu}}\Gamma^{\mu}_{\nu\rho}+\frac{\partial x^{\sigma '}}{\partial...
  16. Gannet

    Are there Standardized Computer Symbols for these Science Fields?

    Good Day Everyone I found this http://ittc.sname.org/new%20recomendations/Symbols%20List/Structured%20List2008.pdf" which was created by the International Towing Tank Conference (ITTC). I was wondering if there are any similar documents for these Science Fields such as: Astronomy...
  17. F

    Question about element of and subset symbols

    Question about "element of" and "subset" symbols I've always thought that ∈ is defined when talking about elements in a set. For example, if A is a set and x is an element, then x ∈ A is defined. It wouldn't make sense to say x \subseteq A In the same way, if A and B are sets and A is...
  18. D

    How to hand draw various math symbols?

    I suppose this is an unusual request (based on the lack of relevant results when I searched for it). As I'm largely self taught I find myself in a position where I have never seen many symbols I'm familiar with written by hand (vs in print or on a computer). Since there are subtle differences...
  19. N

    What do the Symbols (r) and (m) Mean?

    First of all, for what audience is the book intended for? I mean for high school students or undergrads? 2nd. I encountered a symbole (r) with a dot above it and also (m) with a dot too? what do these symoles mean?? thx
  20. N

    Reading characters from file till white space and appending symbols

    Hi I am novice to programming and trying to read each character from file till white space [next line / space] and append symbols to the read characters. example: say I have string how are you doing sir then I should read it into char buffer as char buff =...
  21. F

    What do these new symbols mean ?I can't start this without knowing

    Homework Statement [PLAIN]http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/4418/unledekp.png The Attempt at a Solution What is the P^n _{k} part thing? Someone should probably go over the i) for me too...
  22. J

    Physics Symbol \hbar: Help Finding Meaning

    physics symbols??please help:) This is probably a stupid question, but what does this symbol stand for? \hbar I can't find it anywhere on the net. Thanks:)
  23. L

    Question on Russell-Saunders term Symbols

    Hello Forum, I'm reading a paper on the low-lying electronic states of Mn and can't quite figure out the notation. For example, we are told the [Ar]3d54s2 lowest energy configuration gives rise to a 'a 6S5/2' ground state. I understand that the 6S5/2 in terms of the (2S+1)L(J)...
  24. Femme_physics

    Industrial electronics: Unclear symbols

    Homework Statement So in this circuit http://img850.imageshack.us/img850/5061/circuittoregulate.jpg Given that alpha = 60 degrees I'm asked to draw qualitatively Vin, URL, UAK, and IAK. Now Vin and URL are simple, but what ARE UAK and IAK? What are they? I don't see an "A"...
  25. M

    This is what these symbols mean in physics.

    Hi, I'm doing a physics home study course and in the text it says: It hasn't mentioned what the symbols Ø and ∆ mean before so I figure it's something I was expected to have known. I'd really appreciate it if someone could help me out with this. Thanks, Matt
  26. A

    Product of Two Levi-Civita Symbols in N-dimensions

    Dear You, In N-dimensions Levi-Civita symbol is defined as: \begin{align} \varepsilon_{ijkl\dots}= \begin{cases} +1 & \mbox{if }(i,j,k,l,\dots) \mbox{ is an even permutation of } (1,2,3,4,\dots) \\ -1 & \mbox{if }(i,j,k,l,\dots) \mbox{ is an odd permutation of } (1,2,3,4,\dots) \\ 0...
  27. BloodyFrozen

    Set Theory Symbols: Is A ∩ C ⊆ B Equal?

    Homework Statement Is A ∩ C ⊆ B equal (A ∩ C) ⊆ B or A ∩ (C ⊆ B)? Homework Equations N/A The Attempt at a Solution I think it's the first one due to it being in order, but I'm not sure...
  28. T

    Hermitian Metric - Calculating Christoffel Symbols

    Hello, I am trying to understand what the differences would be in replacing the symmetry equation: g_mn = g_nm with the Hermitian version: g_mn = (g_nm)* In essence, what would happen if we allowed the metric to contain complex elements but be hermitian? I am not talking about...
  29. T

    Christoffel Symbols - Gauge Fields

    Hi everyone! Two question for you (): 1) I know that General relativity may also be seen as a gauge theory, but which kind of gauge group is used there?? 2) In the gauge theory wiew the Christoffel symbols \Gamma^{\alpha}_{\mu\kappa} in the covariant derivative...
  30. M

    Help a newbie with schematic symbols ^_^

    Help a newbie with schematic symbols ^_^" Hey all! Im kinda stucked here with these symbols. Does anyone have any idea? 1. I think its a terminal, but I am not that sure, since it is connected to a circuit-breaker (which is connected to a transformator) 2. Just to clarify, is 250A...
  31. E

    Christoffel symbols for gravitational waves

    Homework Statement Determine the Christoffel symbol \Gamma^{t}_{xx} for the metric ds^2 = -c^2dt^2 + (1+h\sin(\omega t))dx^2 + (1-h\sin(\omega t))dy^2 + dz^2 The answer should be: \frac{h\omega}{2} \cos(\omega t) Homework Equations For the evaluation we have to use...
  32. S

    Can't understand the meaning of some symbols

    Homework Statement This is an extract from elements of mechanics by giovanni. I'[m unable to understand the meaning of R^d and C^\infty http://flic.kr/p/9K8P7p Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution
  33. J

    Math symbols on GRE POWERPREP software

    Homework Statement So far, I've encountered two symbols on the GRE practice tests which are unknown to me. The first is a number in a square, like a telephone key The second is a number with upside-down "L's" next to it What do these mean?
  34. Q

    LaTeX How Can You Express Complex Numbers in LaTeX?

    I know all the numbers of a real part of an equation is given as \Re How do you express your complex part in the same form?
  35. K

    Calculating Energy Per Bit from Symbols Constellation

    In general, if I have a constellation of symbols, how can i calculate the energy por bit? I think I should calculate the area of figure which is formed linking external points in the space signal and divide it for the numer of bit compose the symbols. Right?
  36. W

    Christoffel symbols vanishing on a curve

    Hello! Here and there I find that it is possible to make the Christoffel symbols vanish on a curve (e.g. lecture http://www.phys.uu.nl/~thooft/lectures/genrel_2010.pdf" by 't Hooft). The transformation law of the Christoffel symbols is relevant in this case...
  37. atomqwerty

    Determining Christoffel Symbols: Subscripts Explained

    My question is just, How can I determinate the Christoffel Symbols? I know that they're given by http://img263.imageshack.us/i/17f2df132717bfc32dc2ce3.png/" but, what does this mean? The subscripts I mean. thank you very much! :)
  38. Z

    Can someone please explain to me what the Christoffel symbols symbols are?

    I am trying to understand everything about general relativity. I know that they have to do with how the Riemann curvature tensor uses parallel transporting a vector around a closed path. I really just don't understand the mathematics behind it. Thank you. I prefer layman's terms.
  39. FeDeX_LaTeX

    Bonding Symbols? Understanding Oxygen & Hydrogen Bonds

    Hello; I don't understand the symbols drawn on this diagram; http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8e/Wasserstoffperoxid.svg I understand that the bond between the two oxygen atoms is a single sigma bond (illustrated by a -), but what are the bonds between the oxygen and...
  40. L

    Is it possible ( term symbols )

    Is it possible to calculate the energy of a state from an atomic term symbol? Or are we only able to use the lande inteval rule to find spin orbit interaction splittings?
  41. S

    Understand Vector Product with Levi Civita Symbols

    Hello I am a graduate student and it is my first year in physics. Our instructor showed vector product with Levi Civita symbol and I did not understand the part where the product of two Levi Civita symbols is expressed as Kronecker Deltas. Additionally I did not get the proof on the URL...
  42. L

    How to add a few logic symbols to LyX?

    Homework Statement I think LyX is a great program. However, as a beginner, I am having trouble with adding new symbols. I am taking a Mathematical Logic course as a graduate student, as the assignments get harder and harder, the default mathematics symbols simply don't cut it anymore, so...
  43. M

    What Does \mu Represent in Free Body Diagrams?

    Homework Statement What does \mu represent? Homework Equations f=\muN The Attempt at a Solution I understand it is a coefficient but I don't understand what it stands for especially when being applied to Free Body Diagrams. Explain please?!
  44. mugaliens

    Symbols - Used, Misused, or Misapprpriated?

    "Kenneth Burke described Homo sapiens as a "symbol-using, symbol making, and symbol misusing animal." - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symbol#Psychoanalysis_and_archetypes" Jung long separated symbols from signs, with a sign being a known representation of something, such as a stop sign or a...
  45. Y

    Question on meaning of some symbols

    I don't know the meaning of these: 1) sup_{B_\delta}|f(x,y)| Where B_\delta is the ball of radius \delta. 2) \int \int _{R^2 \B _{\delta} } f(xy)dxdy I don't know what is R^2 \B _{\delta} Please read my latex because the symbol really don't show correctly.
  46. E

    Clarification on Partial Derivative Symbols

    Homework Statement See uploaded image. Homework Equations n/a The Attempt at a Solution I’ve never seen this format so I am not sure what it is asking. Taking L1.B as an example. They are partials, but does it mean partial of x with respect to z? And then partial of y with...
  47. E

    Explaining symbols in a scientific paper

    Dear all, Here are some questions about explaining symbols in a journal paper. a) Do you explain every symbol in the equations? For instance, when you write down Maxwell's equations in a journal paper, do you, after the equations say "where \vec{E} denotes the electric field, \vec{H}...
  48. L

    Unknown Symbol in Molecular Term Symbols

    Hello, I am interested in the electronic states of the N2 molecule. Now it is a homonuclear diatomic molecule and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molecular_term_symbol" ) but I do not understand what the Latin letters before the molecular term symbols mean. Here are some of the states X^{1}...
  49. W

    Timelike Geodesic and Christoffel Symbols

    Homework Statement How do I show the following metric have time-like geodesics, if \theta and R are constants ds^{2} = R^{2} (-dt^{2} + (cosh(t))^{2} d\theta^{2}) Homework Equations v^{a}v_{a} = -1 for time-like geodesic, where v^{a} is the tangent vector along the curve The Attempt at a...
  50. P

    E2 - p2c2 = m2c4 - Meaning of symbols

    "E2 - p2c2 = m2c4" - Meaning of symbols What do the symbols mean in the equation- E2 - p2c2 = m2c4 I know this is so basic, but I am really confused about what all are rest parameters here, and what all involve Lorentz factor...
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