In general physics, delta-v is simply a change in velocity. The Greek uppercase letter delta is the standard mathematical symbol to represent change in some quantity.
Depending on the situation, delta-v can be either a spatial vector (Δv) or scalar (Δv). In either case it is equal to the acceleration (vector or scalar) integrated over time:
- (vector version)
- (scalar version)
where:
- v0 or v0 is initial velocity (at time t0),
- v1 or v1 is subsequent velocity (at time t1).