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Nu (Ν, ν) Definition
Nu (Ν, ν) is the 13th letter of the Greek alphabet. In the system of Greek numerals it has a value of 50. It is derived from the ancient Phoenician language nun. Its Latin equivalent is N, though the lowercase resembles the Roman lowercase v (ν). The name of the letter is written νῦ in Ancient Greek and traditional Modern Greek polytonic orthography, while in Modern Greek it is written νι [ni]. Letters that arose from nu include Roman N and Cyrillic Н.
Usage in Mathematics & Science
The uppercase Nu is not used, because it is normally identical to Latin N.
The lowercase Nu (ν) is used for:
Mathematics:
Degree of freedom in statistics.
The greatest fixed point of a function, as commonly used in the μ-calculus.
Free names of a process, as used in the π-calculus.
One of the Greeks in mathematical finance, known as vega.
Physics:
Kinematic viscosity in fluid mechanics.
The frequency of a wave in physics and other fields. Sometimes also spatial frequency or wavenumber.
The specific volume in thermodynamics.
Poisson's ratio, the ratio of strains perpendicular with and parallel with an applied force.
Any of three kinds of neutrino in particle physics.
The number of neutrons released per fission of an atom in nuclear physics.
Molecular vibrational mode, νx where x is the number of the vibration (a label).
The true anomaly, an angular parameter that defines the position of a body moving along an orbit (see orbital elements).
Biology:
A DNA polymerase found in higher eukaryotes and implicated in translesion synthesis.
Chemistry:
The stoichiometric coefficient.
Psychology:
The maximum conditioning possible for an unconditioned stimulus in the Rescorla-Wagner model.
Greek Alphabet
The letters of the Ancient Greek Alphabet, which are frequently utilized in math and science:
Related Definitions
Sources
“Nu (Letter).” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 23 Apr. 2020, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nu_(letter).