MCAT Physics Equations Sheet
Gold Standard MCAT Prep's MCAT Physics Equations Sheet ('cheat sheet' notes)
This MCAT Physics Equations Sheet is by no means an exhaustive review of MCAT Physics. Our sheet is only meant to highlight key equations that are most helpful for the MCAT. For a list of MCAT Physics topics, see:MCAT Topics List. You can also access practice questions in our Free MCAT Practice Test, or our many full-length MCAT Practice Tests.
This MCAT Physics Equations Sheet provides helpful physics MCAT equations for MCAT Physics practice. MCAT Physics equations for motion, force, work, energy, momentum, electricity, waves and more are presented on this page. Please keep in mind that understanding the meaning of equations and their appropriate use will always be more important than memorization. Sometimes, formulas will be provided during the MCAT but, as you will see, you are expected to already know quite a few. Doing and reviewing practice questions and practice tests will improve your understanding of what you need to know.
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MCAT-prep.com's Science Summaries
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Gold Standard MCAT Physics Equations - Memorize
| Translational motion |
|---|
| x = xo + vot + 1/2at2 | (Vƒ)2 = (Vo)2 + 2ax |
| Vƒ = Vo + at |
| Frictional force |
| fmax = μ Ν |
| μk < μs always |
| Uniform circular motion* |
| Fc = mac = mv2 /r |
| ac= v2 /r |
| Momentum, Impulse* |
| I = F Δt = ΔM |
| M = mv |
| Work, Power |
| W = F d cosθ |
| P = ΔW/Δt |
| Energy (conservation) |
| ET = Ek + Ep |
| E = mc2 |
| Spring Force, Work |
| F = -kx |
| W = kx2 /2 |
| Continuity (fluids) |
| A v = const. |
| ρAv = const. |
| Current and Resistance |
| I = Q/t |
| R = ρl/A |
| Resistors (series, par.) |
| Req = R1 + R2 . . . |
| 1/ Req = 1/ R1 + 1/ R2 |
| Capacitors in Ser. and Par. |
| 1/ Ceq = 1/ C1 + 1/ C2 + 1/ C3 . . . |
| Ceq = C1 + C2 . . |
| Sound |
| dB = 10 log10 (I/I0 ) |
| beats = Δ ƒ |
| Kirchoff's Laws |
| Σi = 0 at a junction |
| ΣΔV = 0 in a loop |
| Thermodynamics |
| Q = mc Δ T (MCAT !) |
| Q = mL |
| Torque forces |
| L1 = F1× r1 (CCW + ve) |
| L2 = F2 × r2 (CW - ve) |
| Torque force at EQ |
| ΣFx = 0 and ΣFy = 0 |
| ΣL = 0 |
| Refraction |
| ( sin θ1 )/(sin θ2 ) = v1 /v2 = n2 /n1 = λ1 /λ2 |
| n = c/v |
Gold Standard MCAT Physics Equations - Memorize As Pairs
| F = ma | Similar Form |
| F = qE | |
| F = KG ( m1 m2 / r2 ) | |
| F = k ( q1 q2 / r2 ) | |
| V = IR | Paired Use |
| P = IV | |
| vav = Δ d / Δ t | (avg vel, acc) |
| aav = Δ v / Δ t | |
| v = λ f | (f = 1/T) |
| E = hf | |
| Ek = 1/2 mv2 | (kin, pot E) |
| Ep = mgh | |
| Ρ = F/A | (pressure Ρ) |
| Δ Ρ = ρgΔh | |
| SG = ρ substance / ρ water | (Spec Grav) |
| ρ = 1 g/cm3 = 103 kg/m3 | |
| ρ = mass / volume | (buoyant F) |
| Fb = Vρg = mg | |
| 1/ i + 1/ o = 1/ f = 2/r = Power | Optics |
| M = magnification = - i/o | |
| ΔG = ΔH - TΔS | ΔG° = -RTln Keq |
| Gibbs Free Energy | |
| F = ma | F = qE | Similar Form |
| F = KG ( m1 m2 / r2 ) | F = k ( q1 q2 / r2 ) | |
| V = IR | P = IV | Paired Use |
| vav = Δ d / Δ t | aav = Δ v / Δ t | (avg vel, acc) |
| v = λ f | E = hf | (f = 1/T) |
| Ek = 1/2 mv2 | Ep = mgh | (kin, pot E) |
| Ρ = F/A | Δ Ρ = ρgΔh | (pressure Ρ) |
| SG = ρ substance / ρ water | ρ = 1 g/cm3 = 103 kg/m3 | (Spec Grav) |
| ρ = mass / volume | Fb = Vρg = mg | (buoyant F) |
| 1/ i + 1/ o = 1/ f = 2/r = Power | M = magnification = - i/o | Optics |
| ΔG = ΔH - TΔS | Gibbs Free Energy | ΔG° = -RTln Keq |
Gold Standard MCAT Physics Equations - Know How to Use - Do Not Memorize
| Ρ + ρgh + 1/2 ρv2 = constant |
| Bernouilli's Equation |
| Fluids in Motion |
| f0 = fs (V ± V0 )/( V ± Vs ) |
| Doppler Effect: when d is decreasing use + V0 and - Vs |
| V = Ed for a parallel plate capacitor |
| d = the distance between the plates |
| dF = dq v(B sin α) = I dl(B sin α) |
| Laplace's Law |
| RH rule |
| Potential Energy ( PE ) = W = 1/2 QV |
| Work in Electricity |
| W = 1/2 CV2 |
| Ρ + ρgh + 1/2 ρv2 = constant | Bernouilli's Equation | Fluids in Motion |
| f0 = fs (V ± V0 )/( V ± Vs ) | Doppler Effect: when d is decreasing use + V0 and - Vs | |
| V = Ed for a parallel plate capacitor | d = the distance between the plates | |
| dF = dq v(B sin α) = I dl(B sin α) | Laplace's Law | RH rule |
| Potential Energy ( PE ) = W = 1/2 QV | Work in Electricity | W = 1/2 CV2 |
Gold Standard MCAT Physics Equations - Atomic Nucleus & Electronic Structure
- Alpha (α) particle = 2He4 (helium nucleus);
- Beta (β) particle = -1e0 (an electron);
- A positron = +1e0 (same mass as an electron but opposite charge);
- Gamma (γ) ray = no mass, no charge, just electromagnetic energy;
- Δ m /Δ t = rate of decay where Δ m = change in mass, Δ t = change in time.
- If the number of half-lifes n are known we can calculate the percentage of a pure radioactive sample left after undergoing decay since the fraction remaining = (1/2)n.
- Nelectrons = 2 n2 , where Nelectrons designates the number of electrons in shell n.
- The state of each electron is determined by the four quantum numbers:
- Principal quantum number = n
- Determines the number of shells
- Possible values are: 1 (K), 2 (L), 3 (M), etc...
- Angular momentum quantum number = l
- Determines the subshell
- Possible values are: 0 (s), 1 (p), 2 (d), 3 (f), n-1, etc...
- Magnetic momentum quantum number = ml
- Determines the orbital
- Possible values are: ± l , ... , 0
- Spin quantum number = ms
- Determines the direction of rotation of the electron
- Possible values are: ± 1/2
- Principal quantum number = n
Gold Standard MCAT Physics Equations - Trigonometry - The Basics
sin θ = opp/hyp
cos θ = adj/hyp
tan θ =opp/adj
- Angle θ may be given in radians (R) where 1 revolution = 2πR = 360°
- Estimate square root 3 as 1.7 and root 2 as 1.4
- Cross-sectional area of a tube = area of a circle = πr2 where π can be estimated as 3.14 and r is the radius of the circle; circumference = 2πr
Gold Standard MCAT Physics Equations - Units to Memorize
- Both work and energy are measured in joules where 1 joule (J) = 1 N × 1 m . {Imperial units: the foot-pound , CGS units: the dyne-centimeter or erg }
- The SI unit for power is the watt (W) which equals one joule per second (J/s) = volts × amperes.
- Current is measured in amperes = coulombs/sec. The units of resistance are ohms, symbolized by Ω (omega), where 1 ohm = 1 volt/ampere.
- The SI unit for pressure is the pascal (1 Pa = 1 N/m2 ). Other units are: 1.00 atm = 1.01 × 105 Pa = 1.01 bar = 760 mmHg = 760 torr.
- The SI unit for the magnetic induction vector B is the tesla where 1 T = 1 N/(A)(m) = 104 gauss.
