Need help with physics symbols in question

  • Thread starter Thread starter Tweek
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Physics Symbols
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on understanding the symbols used in a physics question regarding the relationship between temperature change and heat added. The symbol "¡Ø" is identified as a potential error for the proportionality symbol "∝". The correct answer to the question is determined to be option C, which states that heat (Q) is proportional to temperature change (T). The participants clarify that mass (m) should not be included in the proportionality relationship for this specific question.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic physics concepts such as heat (Q), temperature change (T), and mass (m).
  • Familiarity with mathematical symbols used in physics, particularly the proportionality symbol (∝).
  • Knowledge of the relationship between heat and temperature in thermodynamics.
  • Ability to interpret physics equations and symbols from textbooks or worksheets.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the correct usage of the proportionality symbol (∝) in physics equations.
  • Study the relationship between heat, temperature, and mass in thermodynamic processes.
  • Explore common physics symbols and their meanings to enhance understanding of physics notation.
  • Review examples of physics problems that involve temperature change and heat transfer.
USEFUL FOR

Students taking physics courses, educators teaching physics concepts, and anyone seeking to clarify the use of symbols in physics equations.

Tweek
Messages
22
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



I'm taking an online physics course and I do not understand what the symbols mean in the question.

The question is: Which of the following is a shorthand way of stating that "the temperature change of a substance is directly propertional to the quantity of heat added"?

A. Q ¡Ø m
B. m ¡Ø Tf - Ti
C. Q ¡Ø T
D. Q = Tf - Ti

I know that Q means heat. I'm guessing that Tf is final temp and Ti is initial temp. I also know that m is for mass. However I have no idea what ¡Ø means.

Homework Equations



My textbook does not use this ¡Ø symbol and I have searched online but I can't figure out what it is. Can anyone tell me what ¡Ø means?


The Attempt at a Solution



I think the answer is C and if I can't get any help here I'm going to choose that answer.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Do you mean: \propto ?
That symbol means: proportional to.

For example, instead of writing: "The formula for y is y = k x^2 with k some constant" physicists tend to say "y is proportional to the square of x", or "y \propto x^2". They just do it to indicate the shape of the function, without going into details about precise (often numerical) prefactors and shifts.

For example, 3 (x - a)^2 + 16 \pi is also proportional to x^2.
 
Yeah I am familiar with the proportional to symbol but on the work sheet it gives this ¡Ø
It might be an error. In this case I think c makes the most sense. I think answer c means temp change is directly proportional to the quantity of heat added.
 
If it really says that, it must be an error. Probably it was copy/pasted from another document and the proportionality symbol wasn't copied correctly.

Anyway, why did you discard B?
 
The reason why I discarded B is because it has mass in the formula and it doesn't have the Q for heat.

BTW I really appreciate your help. Thanks :-)
 
Last edited:
Tweek said:
The reason why I discarded B is because it has mass in the formula and it doesn't have the Q for heat.
Ah, :smile: I missed that. I just thought the Tf - Ti looked very tempting. But of course, proportionality to T also means proportionality to (T - T0) :smile:

Tweek said:
BTW I really appreciate your help. Thanks :-)
You are most welcome.
 

Similar threads

Entropy change for two masses of water mixed adiabatically
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
How many kg of ice must be dropped to make Tf= 22.7C?
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
Thermodynamics adding ice to water problem with latent heat
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
Charge separation of O-H bond in water molecule?
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
1K
Calculating Entropy Change for Gas Sample with Helium and Ideal Gas Equation
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Mass of vapor per hour for heating water
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Final temperature after pouring soda into glass with ice....
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
6K
Calculating final temperature in insulated container
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Heat and Internal Energy - Thermodynamics
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Why this special case occurs in an exchange of heat
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K