Appendix

8.2 Symbols and units for physical quantities

Candidates should be able to give the symbols for the following physical quantities and, where indicated,
state the units in which they are measured. The list for the Extended syllabus content includes both the
Core and the Supplement.
Candidates should be familiar with the following multipliers: M mega, k kilo, c centi, m milli.
Core

Supplement

Quantity

Usual
symbol

Usual unit

Quantity

Usual
symbol

Usual unit

length

l, h

km, m, cm, mm

area

m2, cm2

volume

m3, cm3

weight

mass

m, M

kg, g

mass

m, M

mg

time

h, min, s

time

ms

g / cm3, kg / m3

density
speed

u, v

acceleration

acceleration

m / s2

acceleration of
free fall

acceleration of free
fall

m / s2

force

gravitational field
strength

N / kg
momentum

kg m / s

km / h, m / s, cm / s

impulse
moment of a
force

Nm

work done

W, E

J, kJ, MJ

energy

J, kJ, MJ

power

W, kW, MW

pressure

N / m2

atmospheric
pressure
temperature

34

Ns

pressure

Pa

thermal capacity
(heat capacity)

J / C

specific heat
capacity

J / (g C),
J / (kg C)

mm Hg
,T

Cambridge IGCSE Physics 0625. Syllabus for examination in 2016, 2017 and 2018.

Appendix

Core

Supplement

Quantity

Usual
symbol

Usual unit

latent heat

frequency

wavelength

Quantity

Usual
symbol

Usual unit

specific latent heat

J / kg, J / g

refractive index

charge

Hz, kHz
m, cm

focal length

cm

angle of incidence

degree ()

angle of reflection,
refraction

degree ()

critical angle

degree ()

potential
difference/voltage

V, mV

current

A, mA

e.m.f.

resistance

R
C

Cambridge IGCSE Physics 0625. Syllabus for examination in 2016, 2017 and 2018.

35