Practical Electronics/Greek Alphabet
Greek letters are often used in electronics, either for prefixes or to represent values, often if the normal letters run out.
Letter | Name | Uses | |
---|---|---|---|
Capital | Lowercase | ||
Α | α | Alpha | |
Β | β | Beta | |
Γ | γ | Gamma | |
Δ | δ | Delta | |
Ε | ε | Epsilon | |
Ζ | ζ | Zeta | |
Η | η | Eta | |
Θ | θ | Theta | Generally used to denote angles or phase relationships |
Ι | ι | Iota | |
Κ | κ | Kappa | |
Λ | λ | Lambda | Usually used for wavelength, but can also be used to denote an arbitrary constant. |
Μ | μ | Mu | Lowercase stands for "micro-", the prefix denoting one millionth. Can also be used to denote an arbitrary constant, usually when λ has been used already. |
Ν | ν | Nu | |
Ξ | ξ | Xi | |
Ο | ο | Omicron | |
Π | π | Pi | Lowercase denotes a mathematical constant, 3.14... |
Ρ | ρ | Rho | Lowercase can mean resistivity (not resistance) or density. |
Σ | σ | Sigma | Capital denotes the sum of a series of values. |
Τ | τ | Tau | PI multiplied by two (6.2831...) |
Υ | υ | Upsilon | |
Φ | φ | Phi | Sometimes used for angles or phase relationships, if theta has already been used. Can also represent the Golden Ratio. |
Χ | χ | Chi | |
Ψ | ψ | Psi | |
Ω | ω | Omega | Capital denotes "ohms", the unit of resistance. Lowercase can mean the "angular speed" or the rate of change of phase of a signal. |