Mathematical Symbol and Abbreviation

Do not confuse abbreviations and mathematical symbols. An abbreviation is usually two or more letters a mathematical symbol should generally be only one letter, possibly with a subscript or superscript. An abbreviation may be used in narrative text but seldom appears in equations a mathematical symbol is preferred in equations and may also be used in text. For example, in text with no equations, PE may be used for potential energy, but in mathematical text and equations, p is preferred. Abbreviations are typeset in roman type most mathematical symbols are typeset in italic type. 

This book is designed to help you leam the fundamentals of chemistry. To be successful, you must master the concepts of chemistry and acquire the mathematical skills necessary to solve problems in this quantitative science. If your algebra is rusty, you should polish it up. Appendix 1 reviews the algebra used in basic chemistry and also shows how to avoid mistakes while solving chemistry problems with your scientific calculator. The factor label method is introduced in Chapter 2 to show you how to use units to help with problem solutions. You can help yourself by using the standard symbols and abbreviations for various quantities (such as m for mass, m for meter, mol for moles, and M for molarity). Always use the proper units with your numerical answers it makes a big difference whether your roommate s pet is 6 inches long or 6 feet long ... 

Other materials to aid your study include lists of standard symbols and abbreviations for variables, units, and subatomic particles, found in Appendix 2. A summary of the mathematical equations used in the book is presented in Appendix 3. The solutions to all Practice Problems and selected end-of-chapter problems are provided in Appendices 4 and 5, respectively. The selected end-of-chapter problem numbers are printed in red. A periodic table is printed inside the front cover of the book, and a table of the elements appears inside the back cover. Let these tools help you succeed ... 

Four Appendices are added. Appendix A gives a survey on the most important non-aqueous solvents, their physical properties and correlation parameters, and the commonly used abbreviations. Appendices B and C show the mathematical background of the general chemical model. The symbols and abbreviations of the text are listed and explained in Appendix D. 

Section 2 combines the former separate section on Mathematics with the material involving General Information and Conversion Tables. The fundamental physical constants reflect values recommended in 1986. Physical and chemical symbols and definitions have undergone extensive revision and expansion. Presented in 14 categories, the entries follow recommendations published in 1988 by the lUPAC. The table of abbreviations and standard letter symbols provides, in a sense, an alphabetical index to the foregoing tables. The table of conversion factors has been modified in view of recent data and inclusion of SI units cross-entries for archaic or unusual entries have been curtailed. 

Values of dimensionless physical quantities, more properly called quantities of dimension one , are often expressed in terms of mathematically exactly defined values denoted by special symbols or abbreviations, such as % (percent) and ppm (part per million). These symbols are then treated as units, and are used as such in calculations. 

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