quote:

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Being the expert you are with the english language, you should know.....

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It may not even be an English word. Actually, I think I is derived from intensitè, but that is basically the same word as intensity.
However, I can tell you that in your sentence, you should write "English" with a capital E.

But what I am curious about is from which word the formula sign U is derived.
 

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Posted by Josh Jones (Member # 447) on 01-07-2004, 03:05 AM:
 
"All right class, let us open up our dictionaries to the F section. Fuck You, a term usually used against a towering asshole, especially in conjunction with anger."

Do I really have to say much more?

JJ
 

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Posted by Michael Schaffer (Member # 1204) on 01-07-2004, 03:12 AM:
 
You`re still quite young, but you should be mature enough to admit that you have outmaneuvered yourself. If you take a rhetorical shot and it backfires, come up with a witty counterattack, don`t take refuge in plain aggression.
Anyway, that doesn`t contain much information about the formula abbreviations.
 

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Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 01-07-2004, 03:40 AM:
 
I know that if “U” is used as in “U.S.A.” it’s considered an abbreviation of “United” and it’s derivation for use is obvious.

But when used as a symbol like in a physics formula where “U” denotes internal energy, I haven’t got a clue.

OTOH, when used as in the road sign “No U Turn” for example, while it’s still being used as a symbol, its derivation is once again obvious.

Ya know what I’m sayin’?

>>> Phil
 

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Posted by Michael Schaffer (Member # 1204) on 01-07-2004, 03:53 AM:
 
Maybe I have created some confusion here. Is it at all common in English to represent voltage in formulas with an U? In German, you would write P=UI.
 

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Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 01-07-2004, 04:05 AM:
 
I think it's common in English to usually represent voltage as "E". Thus: P=IE (pie)

It may be "emf" in some circles and formulae.

>>> Phil
 

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Posted by Michael Schaffer (Member # 1204) on 01-07-2004, 04:23 AM:
 
I was taught to look at the electromotive force as different from the voltage, but since the voltage results from the charges being moved by the emf, and both are given in volts, it probably makes sense to use the terms interchangeably. If it is not common to use U here, then it may be a specific German abbreviation. I always suspected it stands for something like "ungleichheit" (="inequality") referring to the potential difference. But I never found any solid information on this.
 

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Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 01-07-2004, 04:38 AM:
 
Yeah, that's what I learned too. Electromotive force is the "force" to make the movement of the potential difference around a circuit. Both being expressed in volts only adds to the confusion.

It makes sense where the "U" came from based on what you said:

quote:

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... "ungleichheit" (="inequality") referring to the potential difference ...

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quote:

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Being the expert you are with the english language, you should know...

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I may be speaking out of turn, but in Michael's defense, he does ask questions when he wants to know something.
 

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Posted by Steven Privett (Member # 718) on 01-07-2004, 08:31 AM:
 


Here's a nice wallpaper, learn it, live it.
 

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Posted by William T. Parr (Member # 677) on 01-07-2004, 09:20 AM:
 
Michael I studied Electronics as recently as 10 years ago and I never saw U in any formulas I used. Did you see this in a typed ou formuala or a hand writen formula? Reason I ask is if it was a hand writen formula it may have been a V that was poorly writen to look like a U. Could you also provide the context or formula for which it was used. That may be of some assistance in finding the correct answer here.

[ 01-07-2004, 12:39 PM: Message edited by: William T. Parr ]
 

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Posted by Paul Mayer (Member # 355) on 01-07-2004, 12:03 PM:
 
Apparently the French members of the IEC have made a proposal to make "U" the symbol for Electro Motive Force. I don't know why they don't like the letter "E". They claim it is improper to use a proper name for describing a physical property. They say we more properly use the term "current" instead of "amperage" and "power" instead of "wattage", so they ask why are we using the the term "voltage" instead of EMF or some other non-proper-name term? The reasons for choosing the letter "U" seem to have Latin justifications, but a more detailed explanation I will leave to budding junior linguists with more time on their hands and interest than I . As for me, Yankee heathen that I am I will continue to use "E" and "V" as appropriate...

Some links, including an argument against this change:

http://mediatheek.thinkquest.nl/~lla167/parse.php?f=2%2Fsymbol
http://www.theken.org/browser_viewquestion.php?questionID=1073
http://www.ewh.ieee.org/soc/cpmt/newsletter/199909/fm6.html
 

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Posted by James Falloon (Member # 1933) on 01-07-2004, 05:03 PM:
 
Maybe u as in micro, for example:

uF microfarads
uV microvolts
uA microamps

http://physics.nist.gov/cuu/Units/prefixes.html
 

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Posted by Bob Maar (Member # 763) on 01-07-2004, 05:29 PM:
 
Michael have U figured out what U want to know yet?

Good luck to U.

Please let me know when U find out what U means.
 

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Posted by Michael Schaffer (Member # 1204) on 01-07-2004, 05:56 PM:
 
William - U is generally used to express voltage in formulas in German, and some other languages (Swedish apparently). For instance here.
I don`t believe my guess about it being derived from "ungleichheit" or a similar word is true. It doesn`t sound quite right and bit clumsy.
Actually, I think Paul may be on the right track. I thought about this too, but couldn`t find confirmation anywhere. It is possible that U doesn`t stand for anything, but is simply used to replace V in formulas because in classic Latin, there is actually no difference between U and V. For instance, "mutare" or "Julius" would be written MVTARE and IVLIVS.
It is quite possible that Ohm when he formulated his law used this convention because at that time, Latin was still the basic language of learning and education.
James - the "u" is actually a "μ", the Greek "m" ("μικρο=mikro").

edit - I only looked at Paul`s links a while later. The Latin V=U explanation is also given in the second link, so maybe that is the answer.
 

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Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 01-07-2004, 06:22 PM:
 
Well I don't see why all this hostility Michael asked a simple enough question even provided a link to an example so why the hostility
 

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Posted by Michael Schaffer (Member # 1204) on 01-07-2004, 06:34 PM:
 
Phil hates me because I am more beautiful and clever than he is, and I made it - I live in San Diego "America`s finest city" while he is still stuck in Hollywood.
 

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Posted by Aaron Sisemore (Member # 145) on 01-07-2004, 07:08 PM:
 

quote:

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James - the "u" is actually a "?", the Greek "m" ("?????=mikro").

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actually it is ' µ ' or the Greek letter 'mu' that is commonly referred to with the U for the prefix for 'micro'.

-Aaron
 

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Posted by Michael Schaffer (Member # 1204) on 01-07-2004, 07:28 PM:
 
That is exactly what I wrote, except it should not be abbreviated with a capital U. I do not if it is OK to write it with "u" but I guess a lot of people just confuse "u" and "μ" because they look so similar.
 

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Posted by Daryl C. W. O'Shea (Member # 1303) on 01-07-2004, 07:51 PM:
 
That and not everyone knows to type ALT+0181 to get a µ and make a compromise with u.
 

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Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 01-07-2004, 08:13 PM:
 
Mike, you obviously mistook me for someone who gives a shit....

>>> Phil
 

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Posted by Jon Miller (Member # 163) on 01-07-2004, 08:14 PM:
 
On the Mac OS, the Option-M keystroke combination (!) creates a "µ". Much easier to attempt than ALT+0181.

(Why not Option-U? That combination generates the umlaut character; to generate a "ü" on a Mac, you would hold down the Option key and type a "U", then release the Option key and type another "U".)
 

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Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 01-07-2004, 09:54 PM:
 
Gee whillikers, where are the moderators on this thread? Some of the reponses here are skirting the "no personal attacks" rule, methinks.
 

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Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 01-07-2004, 10:16 PM:
 
Gee Whiz Mike... I hope you are NOT referring to Michael and my jabs at each other. We are really great friends and always yank eachother's chains like that.

Hopefully you were "in-tune" enuff to pick up on that...

>>> Phil
 

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Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 01-07-2004, 11:39 PM:
 

quote:

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The Big german Guy wrote:
Phil hates me because I am more beautiful and clever than he is, and I made it - I live in San Diego "America`s finest city" while he is still stuck in Hollywood.

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San Diego is not America's Finest City by a long shot, especially if u of all people are living there.
 

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Posted by Michael Schaffer (Member # 1204) on 01-08-2004, 12:10 AM:
 
Well, that`s at least the city`s motto. They keep saying that on the Radio, too. "Here`s the weather update for San Diego, America`s finest city." I can`t imagine they would lie on the radio, would they?
 

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Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 01-08-2004, 12:14 AM:
 
Joe, you of course know he will now get on your case because you didn't capitalize "German!"

>>> Phil
 

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Posted by Michael Schaffer (Member # 1204) on 01-08-2004, 12:19 AM:
 
No, I wouldn`t do that. I watched "Southpark", therefore I know that can`t be expected from people from Colorado.
 

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Posted by Bobby Henderson (Member # 840) on 01-08-2004, 12:40 AM:
 
"U"?

I feel like flaming the thread because it reminds of a rather disgusting, horrific flashback. When I was just a kid, my younger brother asked to check out something in the bathroom. Then he pointed at the toilet. He was proud of his gigantic bowel movement and had to show off. Yes. It was a great big, brown "U" in the bowl.

 

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Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 01-08-2004, 12:49 AM:
 
I didn't capitalize "german" because it is not significant enough of a word to be capitalized. Call me when it is.

Bobby, sounds like a great episode for Jackass! But Johnny Knox0rz would have at least eaten the turd.
 

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Posted by Manny Knowles (Member # 1171) on 01-08-2004, 01:16 AM:
 
Moving to Yuk.
 

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Posted by Aaron Sisemore (Member # 145) on 01-08-2004, 02:29 AM:
 
Bobby, you might want to tell your brother about this web site

WARNING: it could be -inducing!!!

-Aaron
 

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Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 01-08-2004, 03:22 AM:
 
Phil - no, it was Josh's "towering asshole" comment. Although I should come down on you because you called me your "ex-friend" in another thread. I would link to it but (1) I forget where it was and (B) I never have figured out how to link to another thread.
 

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Posted by Josh Jones (Member # 447) on 01-08-2004, 12:55 PM:
 

quote:

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I can`t imagine they would lie on the radio, would they?

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< hysterically rolling on the floor laughing >
 

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Posted by William T. Parr (Member # 677) on 01-08-2004, 05:18 PM:
 

quote:

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no, it was Josh's "towering asshole"

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Yeah Same on you Josh. Humongous was the corrrect verb to use here.
 

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Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 01-08-2004, 06:28 PM:
 
Gosh Mike, I sorta remember saying that "ex-friend" comment. Why? Dunno. I don't remember right now, but I'm ***sure*** is was deserved.

And yes Josh, radio always lies about everything! That's why I get all my info from internet porno sites. Try it, you'll like it!

>>> Phil
 

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Posted by Michael Schaffer (Member # 1204) on 01-09-2004, 02:26 AM:
 

quote:

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Humongous was the corrrect verb to use here.

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Except of course humongous is an adjective, not a verb. Or in words you may find easier to understand, a how-word, not a do-word.
 

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Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 01-09-2004, 03:52 PM:
 
Michael, I bet you looked that up on dictionary.com...

>>> Phil
 

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Posted by Michael Schaffer (Member # 1204) on 01-09-2004, 04:00 PM:
 
I did, but a few years ago in "Merriam Webster`s" when I first heard the word in a film. When I hear or read a word I do not know, I always write it down and look it up.
 

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Posted by Paul Mayer (Member # 355) on 01-09-2004, 09:33 PM:
 
Humongous

Actually had to run the trailer for this at the 1982 ShoWest at Caesars Palace.
 

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