Symbols and Notations

Symbols:

a

Used in place of the greek letter alpha in regard to alpha particles.

 

B

Used in place of the greek letter beta in regard to beta particles.

 

g

Used in place of the greek letter gamma in regard to gamma rays.

 

w

Used in place of the greek letter lambda in regard to wavelength

 

Å

This symbol for the Angstrom, may or may not display properly on all browsers.

 

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This is a right arrow.

Notations:

a,zX

This notation is used to describe a nuclide where a = mass number, z = atomic number, and X = element. Example: 14,6C is the isotope of carbon with mass number 14. This isotope may also be written as C-14.

 

m^n

m to the nth power. Example: 5^3 = 125

 

mEn

m times 10 to the nth power. Example: 8E-3 = 0.008

 

exp(x)

The exponential of x. Example: exp(1) = 2.71828