Appendix A: Commonly Used
Abbreviations, Signs, and Symbols
Å angstrom (unit of wavelength measure)
abs absolute
ac alternating current
amor or amorph amorphous
A ampere
anhyd anhydrous
aq aqueous
atm atmosphere
at no atomic number
at wt atomic weight
bp boiling point
Btu British thermal unit
°C degree Celsius
ca. approximately
Cal large calorie (kilogram calorie or kilocalorie)
cal small calorie (gram calorie)
cg centigram
cgs centimeter-gram-second
cm centimeter
cm^2 square centimeter
cm^3 cubic centimeter
conc concentrated
cos cosine
cp candlepower
cu cubic
D density diopter
dB decibel
dc direct current8684-X AppA.F 2/9/01 8:28 AM Page 385