Chemical Forums

Chemistry Forums for Students => Undergraduate General Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: Hana on March 04, 2012, 02:05:26 AM

Title: Using mu in concentration units
Post by: Hana on March 04, 2012, 02:05:26 AM

I scientific papers the concentration is often expressed as "mu g/L";
what exactly does it means? Does it stands for micro-gram per liter? Can I always use the word "mu" instead of the lower case Greek letter Mu?

Title: Re: Using mu in concentration units
Post by: Fluorine on March 04, 2012, 03:45:28 AM

Yes, it's a prefix for "micro (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Micro-)". Using the Greek letter μ (mu) is the most appropriate abbreviation as far as I'm aware. I've see "mcg/L" used in some places - never "mu g/L" - though I think it's safest to stick with "μ" or "micro" whenever possible.

Title: Re: Using mu in concentration units
Post by: Hana on March 04, 2012, 07:53:01 AM

I see recently that the "mu g/L" is common in environmental chemistry. I know very well the use in the Greek letter, but not written simply as "mu".
just need to be sure in the exact translation of these measures.