Science Fair Project Encyclopedia
Gamma
Gamma (upper case Γ, lower case γ) is the third letter of the Greek alphabet. In the system of Greek numerals it has a value of 3.
It gives its name to several things:
- Gamma characteristic power law, and gamma correction in television and computer display systems. Gamma is the exponent in a power-law relationship between video or pixel values and the displayed brightness.
- In the game of Tetris, gamma is another name for the J tetromino.
- 1 gamma is a unit of magnetic flux density, 1 gamma = 10-9 tesla or 1 nanotesla.
The upper-case letter Γ is used as the symbol for:
- The gamma function (related to factorials) in mathematics.
- The Gamma distribution in probability theory and statistics.
- The symbol for Γ is used on the hat of the videogame character Waluigi
- The reflection coefficient in electrical engineering.
Gamma is the third caste in Aldous Huxley's dystopic satire Brave New World.
The lower-case letter γ is used as the symbol for:
- The Euler-Mascheroni constant in mathematics.
- A risk management measure in mathematical finance.
- The photon, seen as an elementary particle in physics.
- Gamma rays in physics and astronomy.
- The gamma factor in relativity theory and astronomy.
- The adiabatic index of a gas in physics. Often the letter kappa κ is used.
- The propagation constant of an electromagnetic wave (in electrical engineering and electromagnetic theory).
Letters that arose from Gamma are the Roman C and G and the Cyrillic letter Ghe.
10-26-2009 08:16:03
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The contents of this article is licensed from www.wikipedia.org under the GNU Free Documentation License. Click here to see the transparent copy and copyright details


