Should the mean energy be written in angular brackets or with an overline? How would you write mean energy? I came up with two different ways:


$\displaystyle\langle G_{\textrm{f}}^\circ(j) \rangle$ with the MathJax code \langle G_{\textrm{f}}^\circ(j) \rangle
$\displaystyle\overline{G}_{\textrm{f}}^\circ(j)$ with the MathJax code \overline{G}_{\textrm{f}}^\circ(j)
Or maybe another way?


I am looking for the proper use of this notation in the scientific literature.
Both the IUPAC 2008 Green Book (section 4.2) as well as the ACS Style Guide (specifically Chapter 11) agree that both methods of representing the mean value are acceptable. There might be some style guides / international standards that state otherwise, but for the average chemist these two are generally sufficient.

If ever in doubt, just state the meaning in text.