Specific quantity


In the natural sciences, including physiology and engineering, a specific quantity generally means a physical quantity normalized "per unit" of something ; the name signals a division of the subject quantity by a parametizing quantity that may or may not be named. If the divisor quantity is named, the name is usually placed before "specific" in the term. Named and unnamed divisor quantities are given for the terms below.

Examples

Per unit of mass :
Per unit of other type. The dividing unit is sometimes added before the term "specific", and sometimes omitted.