mcat physics equations

7/29/2019 MCAT PHYSICS EQUATIONS

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Pythagorean Theorem ( SOH CAH TOA )

Sin = Opposite / Hypotenuse

Cos = Adjacent / Hypotenuse

Tan = Opposite / Adjacent

Uniformly Accelerated Motion

x = x0 + v

0t + at

2

v = v0 + at

v2 = v

0

2 + 2ax

vavg =

(v

+ v0)

Newtons Second Law newtons

F = m a

Newtons Law of Universal Gravitation

F = G m1 m

2 / r

2

Inclined Planes Net Force

FNET

= m g sin

Inclined Planes Normal Force

FNORMAL

= m g cos

Centripetal Acceleration Circular Motion

aCENTRIPETAL

= v2 / r

Centripetal Force Circular Motion

FCENTRIPETAL

= m v2 / r

Static Friction

S

S F

N

Kinetic Friction

K =

K F

N

Hookes Law Elastic Springs

F = k x


2/4

System In Equilibrium

FUPWARD

= FDOWNWARD

FRIGHTWARD

= FLEFTWARD

CLOCKWISE

= COUNTER CLOCKWISE

Systems Not In Equilibrium

Add ma to the side with the weakest force

Torque

= F l

Energy Joules

K.E. = m v2

P.E.GRAVITATIONAL

= m g h

P.E.ELASTIC

= k x2

Work

Work = F d cos

Work = K.E. + P.E. + Internal

Energy = Work + Internal

Power Watts

P = E / t

P = F v cos

Momentum Is Conserved In Isolated Systems

Momentum = m v

Elastic Collisions

MomentumINITIAL

= MomentumFINAL

K.E.INITIAL

= K.E.FINAL

Inelastic Collisions

MomentumINITIAL

= MomentumFINAL

Impulse

IMPULSE = Momentum F

AVG t = m v

Machines

Work is constant

Force decreases & Displacement increases

Work = force x displacement

Rest Mass Energy

E = m c2 c = 3 x 10

8 m/s

Radioactive Decay

Mass Protons Alpha MINUS 4 MINUS 2

Beta Same PLUS 1

Positron Same MINUS 1

Electron Capture Same MINUS 1

Gamma Rays same Same


3/4

Fluids at Rest

= m / V S.G. =

SUBSTANCE /

WATER

P = F / A

P = g y

F buoyant

= V g

Fluids in motion

Q = A v

K = P + v2 + g h

v = (2 g h)

Archimedes Principle

% Submerged = FLOATINGOBJECT

/ FLUID

Solids N / m2

Stress = F / A

Strain = dimension / original dimension

Modulus of Elasticity = Stress / Strain

Waves

v =

Period = 1 /

For Decibels

10 intensity is +10 decibels



Beat Frequency

BEAT = | 1 2|

Harmonic Series

Fundamental Wavelength (1) 2 nodes

Second Harmonic (2) 3 nodes

Both Ends Open or Closed:

L = ( n n ) / 2 (n = all numbers)

Only One End Open

L = ( n n ) / 4 (n = odd numbers)

Simple Harmonic Motion

Period Of Pendulum Is Independent Of Its

Mass

Doppler Effect

/ SOURCE

= v / c

/ SOURCE

= v / c


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Electric Fields due to a Point Charge

F = k q1 q

2 / r

2 E = k q

1 / r

2

P.E. = k q1 q

2 / r V = k q

1 / r

Constant Electric Fields

F = E q V = E d

P.E. = q E d P.E. = V q

Resistors

V = I R

REFF

= R1 + R

2 + R

3 + (series)

(1 / REFF

) = (1 / R1) + (1 / R

2) + (parallel)

P = I V P = I2 R P = V

2 / R

Capacitors

C = Q / V

(1 / CEFF

) = (1 / C1) + (1 / C

2) + (series)

CEFF = C1 + C2 + C3 + (parallel)

P.E. = Q V P.E. = Q2 / C

P.E. = C V2

Alternating Current

VMAX

= 2 VRMS

IMAX

= 2 IRMS

Magnetism

F = q v B sin

MAGNETIC FIELD, VELOCITY, & FORCE

Are PERPINDICULAR to each other

Visible Light

390 nm 700 nm

V I B G Y O R

Electromagnetic Radiation

c = c = 3 x 108 m/s

n = c / v n1 sin

1 = n

2 sin

2

E = h

THICKER

CENTER

CONVERGES

LIGHT

Mirrors & Lenses

MIRROR

= r

m = di

/ do

= hi

/ ho

P = 1 / = 1 / do + 1 / d

i

FRONT FRONT BACK BACKEye Eye Eye Eye

OBJECT OBJECT FOCAL POINT DIVERGINGLENS

FOCAL POINT CONVEX

MIRROR CONVERGING

LENS FOCAL POINT

CONCAVE MIRROR

FOCAL POINT OBJECT OBJECT

Positive real

inverted negative

virtual

upright Positive

real

inverted negative

virtual

upright

mcat physics equations

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