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What does a d with a slash through it mean?
My thermochemistry book just started using it without explaining what exactly it means... its a d with a forward slash through it.
For example, I know that q (heat) = U (internal energy) - w (work)
and the book describes the equation as d(with slash)q = d(no slash) U - d(with slash)w
soooo... wtf does it mean?
1 Answer
- ?Lv 71 decade agoFavorite Answer
It appears that IS the definition:
>> ̷dq = dU – dw ( ̷dq is supposed to be my attempt at d-slash. )
I believe this is known as the Feynmann slash notation (also known as the Dirac slash notation) in higher dimensions. I am just guessing here, so if I am wrong, please forgive.
So that means when you see ̷dq you replace it with dU – dw
I have no idea why they don't just use plain old dq, the differential. Maybe it is to distinguish it from a variable d. I am just guessing here. This is a notation that physicists seem to like.