Chronology Current Month Current Thread Current Date
[Year List] [Month List (current year)] [Date Index] [Thread Index] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Date Prev] [Date Next]

Re: p for momentum?

On Thu, 11 Dec 1997, Dewey Dykstra, Jr. wrote:

I have been asked to ask the list, what is the origin of the symbol "p" for
momentum. I expect some know. If I did, I have forgotten.

Dewey,

I have it in the back of my mind that someone once told me it comes from
the French "puissance" meaning "strength" or "force." Kind of makes
sense, but I don't have any authoritative reference.

John
-----------------------------------------------------------------
A. John Mallinckrodt http://www.intranet.csupomona.edu/~ajm
Professor of Physics mailto:ajmallinckro@csupomona.edu
Physics Department voice:909-869-4054
Cal Poly Pomona fax:909-869-5090
Pomona, CA 91768-4031 office:Building 8, Room 223