β

β U+03B2, β GREEK SMALL LETTER BETA ← α [U+03B1] Greek and Coptic γ → [U+03B3]

See also: Β, β̞, and Appendix:Variations of "b"

Translingual

Pronunciation

• IPA

  (file)

Symbol

β

1. The second letter of the Greek alphabet.
2. (IPA) voiced bilabial fricative.
3. (chemistry) Used in chemical nomenclature to refer to the second of several isomers, positions or variations.

   β-carotene is the most well-known isomer of tetraterpene hydrocarbons, C₄₀H₅₆.

4. (topology) Stone–Čech compactification
5. (physics) beta ray, beta particle, beta radiation

See also

• β on Wikipedia.Wikipedia

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Greek

Etymology

Derived from its majuscule counterpart Β, from the Phoenician letter 𐤁, beth.

Letter

β • (v) (lowercase, uppercase Β)

1. Lower-case beta (βήτα), the second letter of the ancient Greek alphabet. It represented the voiced bilabial plosive: /b/. It is preceded by α and followed by γ.
2. Lower-case beta (βήτα), the second letter of the modern Greek alphabet. It represents the voiced labiodental fricative: /v/. It is preceded by α and followed by γ.

Derived terms

See also beta

• β' (v'), ,β (,v)
• b, B (Roman)
• б, Б (Cyrillic)
• в, В (Cyrillic)
• ⲃ, Ⲃ (Coptic)
• β-particle

See also

• Appendix:Greek alphabet