Physics Formulas
Things to Remember:
– Difference between distance-time graphs and speed-time graphs
– Acceleration (of an object in free fall in a vacuum) = 9.8 m/s^2
– Difference between length and extension
– Weight has no moment because it acts on the pivot (perpendicular distance = 0)
–
– The calculated value of c is always greater than the actual value because some heat
energy is lost to the surroundings
– Conduction in metals occurs mainly because of the freely moving electrons colliding with
other electrons and atoms
– Transverse Waves: vibrations are perpendicular to direction of wave travel: light, water,
secondary
– Longitudinal Waves: vibrations are parallel to direction of wave travel: sound, primary
– Speed of Light = 3 * 10^8 m/s
– Refraction: when the light ray moves to a denser material, it moves toward the normal:
when it moves to a less dense material, it moves away from the normal
– Refractive Index: higher -> toward normal: lower -> away from normal
– Total Internal Reflection: can only occur when light travels from a dense to a less dense
material
– sin(90) = 1
– Red Light has the longest wave length and refracts the least
– Short Sight: can see close objects clearly (light rays meet before retina), needs a concave
lens
– Long Sight: can see distant objects clearly (light rays meet after retina), needs a convex
lens
● Volume (of a prism/regular object) = Area of Base * Height
– m^3 or L
● Density = Mass / Volume
– Kg/m^3
– M = DV
– V = M/D
● Speed = Distance / Time
– m/s
– D = ST
– T = D/S
● Average Speed = Total Distance / Total Time
– m/s
● Acceleration = Change in Velocity / Time
– m/s^2
● Weight (Gravitational Force) = Mass * Gravitation Field Strength (9.8)
– N
– g = 9.8 N/kg
– M = W/G
● Resultant Force = Sum of All Forces (acting on the object)
– N
● Resultant Force = Driving Forces - Resisting Forces
– N
● Resultant Force = Mass * Acceleration
– N
– Rf/M = A
– Rf/A = M
● Spring Constant = Force / Extension
– N/m
– F = K*X
– X = F/K
● Moment = Force * (perpendicular) Distance (from pivot)
– Nm
– F = M/D
– D = M/F
● During Equilibrium:
– Clockwise Moment = Anticlockwise Moment (resultant moment = 0)
– Upwards Force = Downards Force (resultant force = 0)
● Momentum = Mass * Velocity
– kgm/s
– M = P/V
– V = P/M
● Impulse = Change in Momentum
– Ns
● Impulse = Mass * (Final Velocity - Initial Velocity)
– Ns
● Force = Impulse / Time
– Ns
– I = F*T
– T = I/F
● Conservation of Momentum (total P before = total P after): m_1*u_1 + m_2*u_2 = m_1*v_1
+ m_2*v_2
● Pressure = Force / Area
– N/m^2
– Pa
– F = P*A
– A = F/P
● Pressure in Liquids = Density * Gravitational Field Strength * Height
– P = DGH
● Change in Gravitational Potential Energy = Mass * Gravitational Field Strength * Change in
●
Height
– J
● Kinetic Energy = (1/2) * Mass * Velocit^2
– J
● Loss in GPE = Gain in KE
– MGH = 1/2MV^2
– GH = (V^2)/2
● Work = Force * Distance
– J
– Nm
● Power = Work / Time
– W
● Power = Change in Energy / Time
– W
● Efficiency = Useful Energy Output / Total Energy Input * 100
– %
● Efficiency = Useful Power Output / Total Power Input * 100
– %
● Kelvin = Celcius - 273
– °K
● Celcius = Kelvin + 273
– °C
● Boyle’s Law ((Pressure * Volume) is constant): p_1*v_1 = p_2*v_2
● Specific Heat Capacity = Energy / (Mass * Change in Temperature)
– J/kg°C
– E = c*m*Δtemp
● Frequency = Number of Cycles / Time
– Hz
● Frequency = 1 / Period
– Hz
– P = 1/F
● Wave Speed = Frequency * Wave Length
– m/s
– F = V/W
– W = V/F
● Angle of Incidence = Angle of Reflection
● Angle of Incidence = Angle of Emergence
● Refractive Index = Speed of Light in Air / Speed of Light in Medium
● Refractive Index = sin(Angle in Air) / sin(Angle in Medium)
● Total Internal Reflection: Refractive Index = 1 / sin(Critical Angle)
– C = sin^-1 (1/N)