The amount of math in a science paper can vary from almost absent to a paper consisting solely out of theorems and equations.

Conventions

You probably will write many scientific papers in your life.

Try to be consistent with math symbols in all your papers.

So not “n” for density in paper 1 and “ ρ

” for the same density in paper 2.

Make a choice and stick to that choice as much as possible. A number of your papers will probably be the basis for your thesis. Different conventions in the various papers will make it much more difficult to combine the papers into a thesis.

Alphabet

When representing a property by a symbol, you have a whole lot of possibilities available: at least the ordinary alphabet, the Greek alphabet and a script alphabet. In addition you can use subscripts and superscripts and diacritics.

Do not reinvent the wheel. Try to follow conventions. Speed of light should not be given by “d” or “P”, but just by “c”. People should be able to guess the meaning at first sight.

Vectors

Putting arrows over symbols to indicate their character as a vector is old-fashioned. Apply bold instead.

Diacritics

Every additional accent, subscript, superscript, or bracket decreases the comprehensibility of inline math and displayed equations. Minimize their use.

Abbreviations as subscript

Math symbols are typically set in italic by default. If your subscript (or superscript) refers to (an abbreviation of) text it should be set in a roman font.

Naming conventions

I already alluded to the fact that international organizations will have naming conventions. Do not reinvent the wheel. Do not use your own idiosyncratic notation.

Units and constants

Use precise conventional notation: the speed of light in vacuum is c, and not c0. All known symbols in the natural sciences have preferred notations, as determined by international organizations.

International bodies

International unions in mathematics, physics and chemistry (like IUPAP, with its Commission on Symbols, Units, Nomenclature, Atomic Masses & Fundamental Constants, and IUPAC with its Nomenclature and Symbols web page, have published preferred notations and units to be used in scientific communication.