Question

What does the letter d mean in front of a varaible for physics equations Such as...

What does the letter d mean in front of a varaible for physics equations

Such as ...

dV
dW

I.e. As gas expands dV>0

Homework Answers

Answer #1

That d is a symbol from differential calculus. calculus deals with infinitesimal quantities (very small quantities). How do you get these small quantities ? Consider any physical quantity such as Volume V. Divide it and subdivide it an infinte number of times. You end up with this infinitesimal quantity. To say an infinitesimally small part of Volume V you say dV. This inifnitesimal is an idea not a number. So only some mathematical operations are possible on such quantities.

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