Science, Tech, Math › Science Chemistry Abbreviations Starting with the Letter R Abbreviations and Acronyms Used in Chemistry Share Flipboard Email Print Science Picture Co/Collection Mix:Subjects/Getty Images Science Chemistry Abbreviations & Acronyms Basics Chemical Laws Molecules Periodic Table Projects & Experiments Scientific Method Biochemistry Physical Chemistry Medical Chemistry Chemistry In Everyday Life Famous Chemists Activities for Kids Biology Physics Geology Astronomy Weather & Climate By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Facebook Twitter Chemistry Expert Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels. Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on May 04, 2019 Chemistry abbreviations and acronyms are common in all fields of science. This collection offers common abbreviations and acronyms beginning with the letter R used in chemistry and chemical engineering.°R - degrees RankineR - Arginine amino acidR - Chiral center for R/S systemR - functional group or side chain of atoms variableR - ResistanceR - Ideal Gas ConstantR - ReactiveR - ReduxR - Röntgen unitR - Rydberg ConstantR-# - Refrigerant numberRa - RadiumRA - Retinoic AcidRACHEL - Remote Acess Chemical Hazards Electronic Libraryrad - radianrad - Radiation - Absorbed DoseRad - RadioactiveRb - RubidiumRBA - Rutherford Backscattering AnalysisRBD - Refined, Bleached and DeodorizedRCS - Reactive Chemical SpeciesRDA - Recommended Daily AllowanceRDT - Recombinant DNA TechnologyRDX - cyclotrimethylenetrinitramineRDX - Research Department ExplosiveRE - Rare EarthRe - RheniumREACH - Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and restriction of Chemical substancesREE - Rare Earth ElementRef - Referencerem - Radiation Equivalent - ManREM - Rare Earth MetalREQ - RequiredRER - Respiratory Exchange RatioRF - Radio FrequencyRF - Resonance FrequencyRf - RutherfordiumRFIC - Reagent-Free Ion ChromatographyRFM - Relative Formula MassRG - Rare GasRg - RoentgeniumRH - Relative HumidityRh - RhodiumRH - Rydberg Constant for HydrogenRHE - Reversible Hydrogen ElectrodeRHIC - Relativistic Heavy Ion ColliderRHS - Right Hand SideRI - Radical InitiatorRIO - Red IronOxideRL - Reaction LevelRMM - Relative Molar MassRMS - Root Mean SquareRn - RadonRNA - RiboNucleic AcidRNS - Reactive Nitrogen SpeciesRO - Red OxideRO - Reverse OsmosisROHS - Restriction Of Hazardous SubstancesROS - Reactive Oxygen SpeciesROWPU - Reverse Osmosis Water Purification UnitRPM - Revolutions Per MinuteRPT - RepeatRSC - Royal Society of ChemistryRT - Reverse TranscriptaseRT - Room TemperatureRT - Energy (Rydberg Constant x Temperature)RTP - Room Temperature and PressureRTM - Read The ManualRTSC - Room Temperature Super ConductorRu - Ruthenium Cite this Article Format mla apa chicago Your Citation Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Chemistry Abbreviations Starting with the Letter R." ThoughtCo, Aug. 27, 2020, thoughtco.com/chemistry-abbreviations-starting-with-the-letter-r-603468. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. (2020, August 27). Chemistry Abbreviations Starting with the Letter R. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/chemistry-abbreviations-starting-with-the-letter-r-603468 Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Chemistry Abbreviations Starting with the Letter R." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/chemistry-abbreviations-starting-with-the-letter-r-603468 (accessed May 30, 2023). copy citation