Physics Phormula Phlashcards

Definition of average velocity

Definition of average acceleration


Displacement formula

Velocity, acceleration and displacement
(without involving time)






Newtons second law of motion

Force of friction & coefficient of
friction

Speed of object traveling in a circle
with radius r and period T





Centripetal acceleration


Torque
and its units

Momentum
and its units




Relationship between impulse &
momentum

Kinetic energy
and its units

Change in gravitational potential energy
related to change in height






Work
and its units

Power
and its units

Hookes Law
and units for k






Energy stored in a spring

Period of a simple harmonic oscillator
(a mass on a spring)

Period of a pendulum






Relationship between period &
frequency

Universal law of gravity

Physics Phormula Phlashcards
(The first formula shown is from the formula sheet. Alternate formulas are sometimes shown also.)

x = x
o
+ v
o
t + at
2

d = v
o
t + at
2

Remember the d formula can be applied
to just the x-components or just the y-
components:
d
x
= v
ox
t + a
x
t
2
etc.

v = v
o
+ at
t
v v
t
v
a
o f
av
A

=
A
A
=

(not on formula sheet)
t
x x
t
x
v
o f
av
A

=
A
A
=

Also remember:
2
av
f o
v v
v
+
=

F
fric
= N
F
fric
= F
N


F = F
net
= ma

v
2
= v
o
2
+ 2a(x x
o
)
Also written as v
f
2
= v
o
2
+ 2ad
Remember you can apply this to just the
x-components or just the y-components.
But be careful not to mix different
directions in the same equation!



t = rF sin u

t = rF

Units = mN

r
v
a
c
2
=
Also know how to derive:
2
2
4
T
r
a
c
t
=
(not on formula sheet)

(not on formula sheet)
v =
T
r t 2






K = mv
2

KE = mv
2

Units = (kg)(m/s)
2
= Nm = J

J = FAt = Ap
FAt = mAv

p = mv
units = kgm/s
Remember boldface means its a vector

t
W
P
avg
A
= = Fv cos u
Units = J / s = watts
You can also replace W by energy.
Notice you can also calculate power by
multiplying speed times the component
of the force parallel to the motion.

W = FAr cos u
W =Fd
parallel

Units = Nm = J

AU
g
= mgh (they forgot the A)
AU
g
= mgAh
You can also use U
g
= mgh if you
define where h = 0 (ground level).
Sometimes we write PE instead of U.



k
m
T
s
t 2 =

U
s
= kx
2

Technically the x should be Ax since it
means the displacement from the
relaxed position.

F
s
= kx (minus sign means the force by
the spring is opposite to the
displacement of the spring)
F
on spring
= +kx
k = F / x so units for k = N / m



2
2 1
r
m Gm
F
G
=
The minus sign is used to indicate an
attractive force (masses always attract
each other). Also remember r is the dist
between centers of objects

f
T
1
=

g
L
T
p
t 2 =





Physics Phormula Phlashcards


Gravitational potential energy in a
system of 2 objects, when ground
level is defined as where the two
objects are infinitely far apart

Force between two point charges,
which means the size of the objects is
much smaller than the distance between
them

Definition of electric field
and its units

Relationship between electric potential
(V) and electric potential energy stored
in two point charges (U
E
)
and units for V






Electric potential at some distance r
from a point charge. The point charge is
called q or sometimes q
1


Uniform electric field between two
parallel plates. (Do NOT use this for
point charges!)
and its units

Capacitance (electrical definition)
and its units






Capacitance (geometric definition)

Energy stored in a capacitor

Definition of electrical current
and its units




Relationship between voltage, current
and resistance.
and units for resistance

Relationship between resistance and
resistivity, for a wire with given length
and cross-sectional area.

Electrical power
and its units






Total resistance for resistors in series

Total resistance for resistors in parallel

Total capacitance for capacitors in
series






Total capacitance for capacitors in
parallel

Magnetic field created by a current
flowing through a straight wire,
measured at some distance r from the
wire.

Force on a wire carrying a current in the
presence of an external magnetic field.
(Do not confuse this with the magnetic
field created by this current!)
and how this defines units for B






Force on a charged particle moving at a
speed v in the presence of an external
magnetic field

Definition of magnetic flux
and its units

Physics Phormula Phlashcards
(The first formula shown is from the formula sheet. Alternate formulas are sometimes shown also.)

q
F
E

= (but remember, the formula

sheet shows vectors as bold instead of
with arrows)
Units = N / C
2
2 1
r
q kq
F =
Dont confuse
0
(see Table of Info)
with which means emf (voltage)

Remember to add forces as vectors.
r
m Gm
U
G
2 1
=
Negative U
G
means you have to do
positive work to move the objects
infinitely far apart. Notice r is not
squared.

d
V
E
avg
= (ignore the minus sign)
AV = Ed The formula sheet omits the
A, but its important to realize that E
depends on the difference in potential
between the plates. Units = V/m = N/C
|
|
.
|

\
|
+ + + = ...
3
3
2
2
1
1
r
q
r
q
r
q
k V
The above just means add up all the
individual potentials (kq
i
/ r). Add them as
scalars, not vectors! For a single charged
object:
r
kq
q
U
V
E 1
2
= =
r
q kq
qV U
E
2 1
= =

V = U / q so units for V = J / C = volts



2
2
1
2
1
CV QV U
C
= =
Also know how derive
C
Q
U
C
2
2
=
which is not on the formula sheet.



V
Q
C =
Units = C / V = F
(coulombs per volt = farad)




A
L
R

=

V = IR
R = V / I
So ohm = volt / amp

t
Q
I
A
A
=
Units = C / s = A (ampere)




...
1 1 1 1
3 2 1
+ + + =
R R R R
P




R
S
= R
1
+ R
2
+ R
3
+

P = IV
Units = A V = (C/s) (J / C)
= J / s = W (watt)





r
I
B
o
=
t

2

For the MC test, just remember the
I/r part. (Example: If you double the
distance r from the wire, then B will
be as strong.)


C
P
= C
1
+ C
2
+C
3
+


...
1 1 1 1
3 2 1
+ + + =
C C C C
S




|
m
= BA cos u

|
m
= B

A
Units = Tm
2

F
B
= qvB sin u

F
B
= qvB

F
B
= BIl sin u
F
B
= IlB

Il
F
B =
so units for B = N / (Am) = T (tesla)



Physics Phormula Phlashcards


Voltage induced in a wire loop of area
A when the flux through the loop is
changing
Voltage induced in a wire (length l)
when it is dragged across a magnetic
field at speed v.

Lenz Law

Change in pressure as you change depth
in a fluid

Buoyant force

Relationship between speed of a fluid
and the cross-sectional area of the pipe
it is flowing through

Bernoullis equation, which connects
fluid pressure, height, and speed
(assume pressure stays the same)

Definition of pressure
and its units

Definition of density
and its units

Rate of heat transfer through a cross-
sectional area A with a temperature
difference of AT over a distance L.

Relationship between gas pressure,
volume, temperature, and quantity of
gas. Remember R = universal gas
constant and k
B
= Boltzmanns
constant.

How average kinetic energy per
molecule of a gas depends on the
temperature.

Typical speed of a molecule of gas,
as it depends on temperature.

Relationship between work done on a
gas, pressure, and change in volume

First Law of Thermodynamics

Definition of efficiency of a heat engine

Conservation of energy in a heat engine

Derive 2 more formulas for efficiency
of a heat engine, using
H
Q
W
e = and
Q
in
= W
out
+ Q
out

(same as Q
H
= W
on
+ Q
C
)

Theoretical limit to the maximum
possible efficiency of an engine (known
as the Carnot efficiency).

Relationship between any waves
speed, frequency and wavelength

Definition of index of refraction in
terms of speed of light in a vacuum (c)
and speed of light in another substance
(v).
and its units??

Physics Phormula Phlashcards
(The first formula shown is from the formula sheet. Alternate formulas are sometimes shown also.)

If you do something to change the flux
through a wire loop: A current will be
induced in the loop which will create a
magnetic field which will oppose that
change. (This is not on formula sheet.)

= Blv
Remember l is the part of the wire that
is cutting across the magnetic field
lines (not slipping in between the field
lines).

t
m
avg
A
A
=
|
c The minus sign means
the induced voltage opposes the change
in flux. OK to ignore the minus sign
and think about Lenz Law instead!

A
1
v
1
= A
2
v
2

This assumes the density of the fluid
does not change. Remember it this way:
As water flows from a garden hose to a
narrow nozzle, it speeds up.

F
buoy
= Vg
Remember it this way:
Buoyant force = weight of the displaced
fluid = m
fluid
g = (V)g

P = P
o
+ gh (they forgot the A)

AP = gAh

= m/V
Units = kg/m
3


A
F
P =
Units = N/m
2


P
1
+ v
1
2
+ gy
1
= constant

P
1
+ v
1
2
+ gy
1
= P
2
+ v
2
2
+ gy
2

This really just says energy is
conserved: Thermal + kinetic + grav
potential energy = constant.

T k K
B avg
2
3
=
T must be expressed in Kelvins (K)
which is Celsius plus 273.
Remember: If you double T, you will
double average KE per molecule.

PV = nRT = Nk
B
T
Remember:
n = number of moles
N = number of molecules
T must be expressed in Kelvins (K)
which is Celsius plus 273.
L
T kA
H
A
= Dont try to memorize
this. Just remember that doubling the
distance cuts the rate of heat transfer
(joules per second) in half, etc. k is
thermal conductivity, not related to
Boltzmann or Hooke.

AU = Q + W

Just remember: There are 2 ways to
increase the internal energy (U) of a
gas: Add some heat (Q) or do some
work on the gas (W).

W = PAV (W = work on a gas)

Thus W
by gas
= +PAV

T k
M
RT
v
B
rms
3 3
= =
M = molar mass = grams per mole
= mass of 1 molecule

H
C H
Q
Q Q
e

=
C by
Q W
W
e
+
=
engine by

Not on formula sheet:
Q
in
= W
out
+ Q
out

Also written as:
Q
H
= W
by
+ Q
C

Q
H
= W
on
+ Q
C

Remember Q
hot
= Q
in
and
Q
cold
= Q
out
= Q
low temp
= Q
exhaust


H
Q
W
e = The absolute value is needed
because in a heat engine the work done
by the gas is positive, so the work done
on the gas is negative. Remember W
means W
on gas


v
c
n =
No units: m/s cancels m/s

v = f

H
C H
c
T
T T
e

=
Notice how similar this looks to one of
the real efficiency formulas but it
uses T instead of Q.

Physics Phormula Phlashcards


Snells Law for refraction from one
medium (with index n
1
) to another
medium (with index n
2
).

When angle of refraction = 90, the
angle of incidence = critical angle = u
C
.
Put this into Snells Law, and you can
solve for u
C
.

Relationship between a mirrors focal
length, distance of object from mirror,
and distance of image from mirror.
Same formula can be used for lenses.

Magnification of a lens or mirror, and
how it relates to heights of image &
object, and to distances.

Lens or mirror: When is s
i
negative?

Lens or mirror: When is s
o
negative?

Lens or mirror: When is h
i
negative?

Lens or mirror: When is h
o
negative?

Lens or mirror: When is f negative?

A spherical mirror doesnt have a very
sharp focus. How is its focal length
related to the radius of curvature of the
sphere?

How does the distance between two
slits relate to the angle from the central
maximum to the m
th
maximum? Can the
identical formula be used for a
diffraction grating?

For a double-slit, how does the distance
from the central maximum to the m
th
maximum relate to the distance of the
screen from the slits (L) and the
distance between the slits (d)?

Can you still use u m d = sin and
d
L m
x
m

~ for a single slit?

How does a single-slit diffraction
pattern look visually different from a
double-slit pattern?

Two formulas for the energy of a
photon, in terms of its frequency, its
momentum, and two constants: speed of
light and Plancks constant.
And can these formulas be used for
particles?

In the photoelectric effect, how does the
highest-energy ejected electron relate to
the energy of the incoming photon and
the work function of the metal?

Every moving particle has wave-like
properties. What is the relationship
between the wavelength and the
particles momentum?
And can this formula be used for
photons?

How much energy is produced when an
object loses mass Am?

Electrical definition for a joule (J)

Electrical definition for an electron-volt
(eV)

Linear expansion of a rod when it is
heated.

Physics Phormula Phlashcards
(The first formula shown is from the formula sheet. Alternate formulas are sometimes shown also.)

f s s
o i
1 1 1
= +
Remember: s means the distance
from the mirror or lens.

1
2
sin
n
n
C
= u Dont learn this as a
separate formula. Better to start with
n
1
sin u
1
= n
2
sin u
2



n
1
sin u
1
= n
2
sin u
2

u
1
= angle of incidence
u
2
= angle of refraction

s
o
is NEVER negative.

s
i
is negative when the image is virtual.

M =
o
i
o
i
s
s
h
h
=

f is negative when the mirror or lens is
diverging.

h
o
is NEVER negative.

h
i
is negative when the image is
inverted (its flipped when compared
with the object).
Note that not inverted is sometimes
written as upright or erect.

d
L m
x
m

~

u m d = sin
(m = 0, 1, 2, 3, )
This formula is used for both
double-slits and diffraction gratings.

2
R
f =

E = hf = pc
h = Plancks constant, and c = speed of
light in a vacuum ~ speed of light in air
(see Table of Info for values for c and
h)
(No NOT true for particles.)


The single-slit pattern has a double-
wide central maximum. The other
maxima rapidly fade in intensity as they
get farther away from the center of the
pattern.

For a single slit, the formulas are
modified to mean:
d = width of slit
m = 1, 2, 3, (not 0)
u now refers to the angle to the m
th

minimum (not maximum).

E = mc
2

c = speed of light (or any
electromagnetic wave) in a vacuum
~ speed of light in air
(see Table of Info for c)
p
h
= = the de Broglie wavelength
h = Plancks constant. Table of Info has
two values for h: one in terms of J and
one in terms of eV. Choose the right
one to be consistent with your equation!
(Yes good for photons & particles.)

K
max
= hf |
hf = energy of incoming photon
| = amount of work needed to eject the
electron that is the most weakly-bound
to the atom.
K
max
= the KE of the fastest ejected
electron.

AL = oL
o
AT
o is the coefficient of linear expansion
(depends on the material). Just
remember: Ratio of length change
(AL/L) is directly proportional to
change in temperature.

The amount of work needed to move 1
elementary charge (1 e) uphill across
a potential difference of 1 volt.
1 eV = 1.60 x 10
-19
J
1 e = 1.60 x 10
-19
C

The amount of work needed to move a
1 coulomb charge (1 C) uphill across
a potential difference of 1 volt.
AU = qAV = (1 C)(1 V) = (1 C)(1 J/C)
= 1 J