OAT Bootcamp Physics Equation Sheet

LINEAR KINEMATICS

Formula Notes

Average Velocity vavg = velocity (units: m/s)

v avg = dt d = displacement (units: m)
t = time (units: seconds)

Displacement 1 d = displacement (units: m)

   d = v i t + 2 at2 vi = initial velocity (units: m/s)
a = acceleration (units: m/s2)
t = time (units: seconds)

Final Velocity v f = v i + at vf = final velocity (units: m/s)

vi = initial velocity (units: m/s)
a = acceleration (units: m/s2)
t = time (units: seconds)

Final Velocity   vf = final velocity (units: m/s)

v f 2 = v i 2 + 2ad  vi = initial velocity (units: m/s)
a = acceleration (units: m/s2)
d = displacement (units: m)

Average ­
(v f    v i ) aavg = acceleration (units: m/s2)
Acceleration aavg = t vf = final velocity (units: m/s)
vi = initial velocity (units: m/s)
t = time (units: seconds)

FORCES

Formula Notes

Net Force F net = ma Fnet = net force (units: Newton)

m = mass (units: kg)
a = acceleration (units: m/s2)

Weight F w = mg Fw = weight (units: Newton)

m = mass (units: kg)
g = gravity (g = 10 m/s2)

Normal FN = normal force (units: Newton)

Force F N = F w cos(θ) Fw = weight (units: Newton)
m = mass (units: kg)
θ = angle between horizontal and force

Friction F f = μF N Ff = friction force (units: Newton)

Force FN = normal force (units: Newton)
µ = friction coefficient

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 GRAVITATIONAL

Formula Notes

Gravitational Gm1 m2 F = gravitational force (units: N)

Force (Two F = 2 G = gravity constant (G = 6.67 x 10-11 N m2/kg2)
d
bodies) m1 = mass object 1 (units: kg)
m2 = mass object 1 (units: kg)
d = distance between centers of objects

Gravitational g = gravitational force (units: N)

Force (Single
g = Gm
r2 G = gravity constant (G = 6.67 x 10-11 N m2/kg2)
Body) m = mass single body (units: kg)
r = radius of object

Escape vescape = escape velocity (units: m/s)

Velocity v escape =
√ 2Gm
r   
G = gravity constant (G = 6.67 x 10-11 N m2/kg2)
m = mass PLANET (units: kg)
r = radius PLANET (units: m)

Orbital v = orbit velocity (units: m/s)

Velocity v orbit =
√ Gm
r   
G = gravity constant (G = 6.67 x 10-11 N m2/kg2)
m = mass PLANET (units: kg)
r = radius of PLANET (units: m)

SIN & COS

SIN COS

0 0 1

30 1/2 √3 /2  
45 1/ √2 1/ √2

60 √3 /2   1/2

90 1 0

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 ENERGY AND MOMENTUM

Formula Notes

Kinetic 1 KE = kinetic energy (units: joules)

Energy K E = 2 mv 2 m = mass (units: kg)
v = velocity (units: m/s)

Potential P E = mgh PE = potential energy (units: joules)

Energy m = mass (units: kg)
g = gravity (g = 10 m/s2)

Total E mechanical = K E + P E Emechanical = total mechanical energy (units: joules)

Mechanical KE = kinetic energy (units: joules)
Energy PE = potential energy (units: joules)

Work · ·
W = F d cos(θ)   W = work (units: joules)
F = force (units: N)
d = displacement (units: meters)
θ = angle between the direction of F and the
direction of d

Work W = ΔKE W = work (units: joules)

ΔKE = change in Kinetic Energy (units: joules)

Power P = power (units: watts)

P = Wt W = work (units: joules)
t = time ( units: seconds)

Momentum p = mv p = momentum (kg ⋅ m/s)

m = mass (units: kg)
v = velocity (units: m/s)

Inelastic m1 v 1 + m2 v 2 = mv 3 m1 = mass object 1 (units: kg)

Collisions v1 = velocity object 1 (units: m/s)
m2 = mass object 2 (units: kg)
v2 = velocity object 2 (units: m/s)
m3 = mass stuck together object (units: kg)
v3 = velocity stuck together object (units: m/s)

Elastic m1v1 INITIAL + m2v2 INITIAL = m1v1 FINAL + m2v2 FINAL m1 = mass object 1 (units: kg)
Collisions v1 INITIAL = initial velocity object 1 (units: m/s)
m2 = mass object 2 (units: kg)
v2 INITIAL = initial velocity object 2 (units: m/s)
v1 FINAL = final velocity object 1 (units: m/s)
v2 FINAL = final velocity object 2 (units: m/s)

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 OPTICS

Formula Notes

Index of n = index of refraction (medium of interest)

Refraction
n = vc c = speed of light (3 x 108 m/s)
v = speed of light in medium of interest
(units: m/s)

Snell’s Law n1 sinθ1 = n2 sinθ2 n1= index of refraction, medium 1

θ1= angle from normal (incident wave)
n2 = index of refraction, medium 2
θ2 = angle from normal (refracted wave)

Dapparent = apparent depth submerged

n2 object (meters)
Dapparent = Dactual ( n1 )
Apparent Dactual = actual depth submerged object
Depth (meters)
n2 = index of refraction viewer (usually air)
n1 = index of refraction submerged object
(usually water)

Critical Angle n2 θc= angle from normal (incident)

sinθc = n n1= index of refraction, medium 1
1
n2 = index of refraction, medium 2
For total internal reflection: n1 must be > n2

Thin Lens o = distance of object from lens (units: cm

Equation or mm)
1 1 1
o
+ i
= f
i = distance of image from lens (units: cm
or mm)
f = focal length (units: cm or mm)

Thin Lens ● IF i (+) → real image, opposite side, inverted

Sign ● IF i (-) → virtual image, same side, upright
Conventions
Converging System: (convex lens or concave mirror) → f (+), magnified image
● IF o > f → i (+)
● IF o = f → no image formed
● IF o < f → i (-)
Diverging System: (concave lens or convex mirror) → f (-), i (-), reduced image

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 M= ­ hi
ho
M = magnification (unitless)
hi = image height (units: cm or mm)

­
Magnification ho = object height (units: cm or mm)
i o = distance of object from lens (units: cm
M= o
  or mm)
IF M (+) → upright i = distance of image from lens (units: cm
IF M (-) → inverted or mm)

Power 1 P = power (units: diopters)

P = f f = focal length (units: MUST be
METERS!)

ho = object height (units: cm or mm)

hi = image height (units: cm or mm)
Image Height ho do do = distance of object from lens (units: cm
hi
= di or mm)
di = distance of image from lens (units: cm
or mm)

WAVES

Formula Notes

Wave v = λf v = velocity wave (units: m/s)

Velocity λ = wavelength (units: meter)
f = frequency (units: Hz)

Period 1 T = period (units: seconds)

(Wave) T = f f = frequency (units: Hz)

Wave / I = sound intensity (units: W/m2)

Sound
I = PA = 4πx
P
2 P = power (units: watts)
Intensity A = area (units: m2)
x = distance from point source (units: meters)

Velocity v = wave velocity (units: m/s)

(Wave on
v= √T /(m/L)   T = string tension (units: Newtons)
String) m = string mass (units: kg)
L = string length (units: meters)

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 ELECTROSTATICS

Formula Notes

Coulomb’s kq 1 q 2 F = force (units: Newtons)

Law F = x2 k = 9 x 109 (units: Nm2/C2)
q1 = charge 1 (units: Coulombs C)
q2 = charge 2 (units: Coulombs C)
x = distance between charges (units: meters)

Electric E = electric field strength (units: N/C or Volts /

Field
E = Fq Meter)
F = force (units: Newtons)
q = charge (units: Coulombs C)

Electric kq E = electric field strength (units: N/C or Volts /

Field (Point E = x2 Meter)
Charge) q = point charge (units: Coulombs C)
(+) charges experience forces IN direction of E k = 9 x 109 (units: Nm2/C2)
(-) charges experience forces OPPOSITE x = distance from point charge q (units: meters)
direction of E

Electric V = Ex V = electric potential (units: volts)

Potential E= electric field strength (units: N/C)
x = distance from point charge q (units: meters)

Electric U = qV U = electric potential energy (units: joules)

Potential q = charge (units: Coulombs C)
Energy V = electric potential (units: volts)

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 MAGNETISM

Formula Notes

F = force on charge (units: Newtons)

Magnetic q = charge (units: coulombs)
F = q vBsinθ 
Force v = velocity of charge (units: m/s)
B = magnetic field strength (units: Teslas “T”)
θ   = angle between the velocity and the magnetic
field vectors

“Right IF q (+) → IF q (-) →

Hand Rule”
● Point thumb in direction of F ● Point thumb in OPPOSITE direction of F
Moving ● Point index finger in direction of v ● Point index finger in direction of v
Charge ● Point middle finger in direction of B ● Point middle finger in direction of B

“Right To determine direction of B: To determine direction of F:

Hand Rule” (Magnetic Field GENERATED BY current) (Magnetic Force ACTING ON current)

Current ● Thumb points in direction of I ● Point thumb in direction of F

Carrying ● Fingers curl in direction of B ● Point index finger in direction of I
Wire ● Point middle finger in direction of B

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 DC CIRCUITS

Formula Notes

Voltage V = IR V = voltage (units: volts)

I = current (units: amps)
R = resistance (ohms)

Power 2 P = power (units: watt)

P = I V = I R = VR
2
I = current (units: amps)
V = voltage (units: volts)
R = resistance (units)

Current q I = current (amps)

I= t q = charge (coulombs)
t = time (seconds)

Resistance pL R = resistance (Ohm’s)

(of wire) R= A p = resistivity constant (unitless)
L = length (units: meters)
A = area of wire (units: m2)

Total 1 CT = total capacitance (units: farads F)

Capacitance CT
= C1 + C1 + C1 + ... Cn = individual capacitors (units: farads F)
1 2 3
(SERIES)

Total RT = R1 + R2 + R3 + ... CT = total resistance (units: ohms)

Resistance Rn = individual resistance (units: ohms)
(SERIES)

Total C T = C 1 + C 2 + C 3 + ... CT = total capacitance (units: farads F)

Capacitance Cn = individual capacitors (units: farads F)
(PARALLEL)

Total 1 1 1 1 RT = total resistance (units: ohms)

Resistance RT
= R1
+ R2
+ R3
+ ... Rn = individual resistance (units: ohms)
(PARALLEL)

Charge Q = CV Q = charge (units: coulomb)

(Capacitor) C = capacitance (units: farads F)
V = voltage differential (units: volts )

Energy 1 E = energy (units: joules )

(Capacitor) E = 2 C V 2    C = capacitance (units: farads F)
V = voltage differential (units: volts )

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 FLUID STATICS

Formula Notes

Density m p = density (units: kg/m3)

p= V m = mass (units: kg)
V = volume (units: m3)

Pressure P = pressure (units: pascals)

P = FA F = force (units: Newtons)
A = area (units: m2)

Pressure P = P o + pgh P = pressure (units: pascals)

    Po = surface level pressure (units: pascals)
p = density (units: kg/m3)
g = gravity (g = 10 m/s2)
h = height (units: meters)

Pascal’s F1 A1 F1 = force side 1 (units: meters)

Principle F2
= A2 F2 = force side 2 (units: meters)
(Hydraulics) A1 = area side 1 (units: m2)
A2 = force side 2 (units: meters)

Continuity p1 A1 v 1 = p2 A2 v 2 p1 = pressure side 1 (units: m2)

Equation A1 = area side 1 (units: m2)
Also: A1 v 1 = A2 v 2 v1 = velocity side 1 (units: meters)

m = mass of floating object (units: kg)

Buoyant g = gravity (g = 10 m/s2)
F B = mg  = pV g
Force p = density of FLUID displaced (units: kg/m3)
V = volume of FLUID displaced (units: m3)
(Floating
Object)

ROTATIONAL & CIRCULAR MOTION

Formula Notes

Centripetal vc = centripetal velocity (units: m/s)

Velocity
v c = 2πr
T r = radius (units: meters)
T = period (units: seconds)

Centripetal v2 ac =circular acceleration (units: m/s2)

Acceleration ac = r v = velocity (units m/s)
r = radius (units: meters)

Centripetal mv 2 Fc = centripetal force

Force F c = mac = r m = mass (units: kg)
ac = circular acceleration (units: m/s2)
v = velocity (units m/s)
r = radius (units: meters)

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 THERMODYNAMICS

Formula Notes

Change in ΔU = Q  + W ΔU = change in internal energy (units: joules)

Internal Q = heat added to system (units: joules)
Energy If work done BY system --> W negative(-) W = work done BY OR ON system (units: joules)
If work done ON system --> W positive (+)

Pressure-V
olume
­
W = P ΔV   W = work done BY or ON gas (units: joules)
P = external pressure ON gas (units: atm)
Work If work done BY gas --> W negative (-) ΔV = change in volume (units: Liters)
If work done ON system --> W positive (+)

Heat q = heat energy gained / lost (units: joules)

Energy m = mass (units: g)
q = mCΔT
Gained / C = specific heat ( units: J / g Co)
Lost ΔT = change temperature (units: joules)

Energy
% Ef f iciency = 100(
­
TH TC Tc = minimum operating temperature (units: K)
Efficiency TH ) Th = maximum operating temperature (units: K)

Ideal Gas P V = nRT P = pressure of the gas (units: atm)

Equation V = volume of the gas (units: L)
Use version 1 when:
[Version 1] n = number of moles of gas (units: mol)
● Solving for P in atm T = absolute temperature of the gas (units: K)
● Solving for V in L R = 0.0821 L-atm/mol-K (gas constant)
● Given R = 0.0821 L-atm/mol-K

Ideal Gas P V = nRT P = pressure of the gas (units: Pa)

Equation V = volume of the gas (units: m3)
Use version 2 when:
[Version 2] n = number of moles of gas (units: mol)
● Solving for P in Pa T = absolute temperature of the gas (units: K)
● Solving for V in m3 R = 8.31 J/mol-K (gas constant)
● Given R = 8.31 J/mol-K

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 SIMPLE HARMONIC MOTION (SPRINGS & PENDULUMS)

Formula Notes

Force (Spring) F = kx F = force (units: Newton)

k = spring constant (units: N/m)
Stretched: x and F are positive (+) x = distance stretched / compressed (units: m)
Compressed: x and F are negative (-)

Work (Spring) 1 W = work (units: joules)

W = 2 k x2 k = spring constant (units: N/m)
x = distance stretched / compressed (units: m)

Potential Energy 1 PE = potential energy (units: joules)

(Spring) P E = 2 k x2 k = spring constant (units: N/m)
x = distance stretched / compressed (units: m)

Period (Spring) T = period (units: seconds)

√
m
T = 2π k   m = mass of object on spring (units: kg)
k = spring constant (units: N/m)

Period (Pendulum) T = period (units: seconds)

√
L
T = 2π g
  L = length of pendulum (unit: meters)
g = gravity (g = 10 m/s2)
Note: period pendulum not dependent on
mass!

Angular Frequency ω = angular frequency (units: radians/ second)

ω = 2π
T T = period (units: seconds)
F = frequency (units: Hz)
ω = 2πf
Angular Frequency ω = angular frequency
(Oscillating Spring) ω=
√ k
m   k = spring constant (units: N/m)
m = mass (units: kg)

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