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Physics Formulas List With Explanations

Physics formulas are the mathematical expressions that encapsulate the fundamental principles and relationships governing the behavior of the physical world. They serve as the language of physics, allowing scientists and engineers to describe, predict, and understand the phenomena and interactions of matter, energy, and forces.
authorImageMurtaza Mushtaq8 Sept, 2023
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Physics Formulas

Introduction To Physics Formulas

Physics formulas are the mathematical expressions that encapsulate the fundamental principles and relationships governing the behavior of the physical world. They serve as the language of physics, allowing scientists and engineers to describe, predict, and understand the phenomena and interactions of matter, energy, and forces. These formulas are derived from rigorous experimentation, observation, and theoretical frameworks that have evolved over centuries. They are essential tools for solving complex problems, making predictions, designing experiments, and engineering technological advancements. In the realm of physics, formulas encompass a wide range of topics, from classical mechanics, electromagnetism, and thermodynamics to modern quantum mechanics and relativity. Each formula is a concise representation of a specific physical concept, often involving variables that represent measurable quantities like time, distance, velocity, force, energy, and more.

Commonly Used Physics Formulas

  1. Kinematics (Motion):
-  Displacement (d) : The change in position of an object. It is the difference between the final position (x_final) and the initial position (x_initial). -  Average Velocity (v_avg) : The average rate of change of displacement with respect to time. It is equal to the change in displacement (Δx) divided by the change in time (Δt). -  Average Speed (s_avg) : The total distance traveled divided by the total time taken. -  Instantaneous Velocity (v) : The velocity of an object at a specific instant in time. It is the derivative of displacement with respect to time (dv/dt). -  Acceleration (a) : The rate of change of velocity. It is equal to the change in velocity (Δv) divided by the change in time (Δt). -  Equations of motion : These are a set of equations that relate displacement (s), initial velocity (u), final velocity (v), acceleration (a), and time (t) for an object moving with constant acceleration.
  1. Newton's Laws of Motion:
-  F = ma (Newton's Second Law) : The force acting on an object is equal to the mass of the object times its acceleration. F represents force, m is mass, and a is acceleration. -  Weight (W) : The force of gravity acting on an object. It is equal to the mass (m) of the object multiplied by the acceleration due to gravity (g). -  Frictional Force (F_friction) : The force opposing the motion of an object in contact with a surface. It is proportional to the normal force (N) and depends on the coefficient of friction (μ). -  Tension (T) : The force transmitted through a string, rope, or cable when it is pulled taut. -  Normal Force (N) : The force exerted by a surface to support the weight of an object resting on it.
  1. Circular Motion:
-  Centripetal Acceleration (a_c) : The acceleration of an object moving in a circle at a constant speed. It is directed toward the center of the circle and is given by (v^2) / r, where v is the speed and r is the radius of the circle. -  Centripetal Force (F_c) : The force required to keep an object moving in a circle. It is equal to (mv^2) / r, where m is the mass, v is the speed, and r is the radius.
  1. Work, Energy, and Power:
-  Work (W) : The product of the force applied to an object and the distance over which the force is applied. W = F * d * cos(θ), where θ is the angle between the force and the direction of motion. -  Kinetic Energy (KE) : The energy an object possesses due to its motion. KE = (1/2)mv^2, where m is mass and v is velocity. -  Potential Energy (PE) : The energy an object possesses due to its position. For gravitational potential energy, PE = mgh, where m is mass, g is the acceleration due to gravity, and h is height. -  Conservation of Mechanical Energy : The total mechanical energy (sum of kinetic and potential energy) of an isolated system remains constant unless acted upon by external forces. -  Power (P) : The rate at which work is done or energy is transferred. P = W / t, where W is work and t is time.
  1. Momentum and Impulse:
-  Momentum (p) : The product of an object's mass (m) and its velocity (v). p = mv. -  Impulse (J) : The change in momentum of an object resulting from a force applied over a period of time. J = Δp = FΔt, where F is force and Δt is the change in time. -  Conservation of Momentum : In a closed system, the total momentum before an event is equal to the total momentum after the event.
  1. Thermodynamics:
-  First Law of Thermodynamics : It states that the change in internal energy (ΔU) of a system is equal to the heat (Q) added to the system minus the work (W) done by the system on its surroundings: ΔU = Q - W. -  Heat Transfer (Q) : The energy transferred into or out of a system due to a temperature difference. Q = mcΔT, where m is mass, c is specific heat capacity, and ΔT is the change in temperature. -  Ideal Gas Law : Describes the relationship between the pressure (P), volume (V), amount of substance (n), gas constant (R), and temperature (T) of an ideal gas: PV = nRT. -  Work done by a gas (W) : The work done when a gas expands or contracts against an external pressure. W = PΔV, where P is pressure and ΔV is the change in volume.
  1. Electromagnetism:
-  Coulomb's Law : Describes the electrostatic force (F) between two charged objects. F = k * (|q1 * q2|) / r 2 where q1 and q2 are charges, r is the separation distance, and k is Coulomb's constant. -  Electric Field (E) : The force per unit charge experienced by a test charge placed at a point in an electric field. E = F / q. -  Electric Potential (V) : The electric potential energy per unit charge at a point in an electric field. V = k * (q / r), where q is charge, r is distance, and k is Coulomb's constant. -  Ohm's Law : Describes the relationship between voltage (V), current (I), and resistance (R) in an electrical circuit. V = IR. -  Magnetic Field (B) : The field of force around a magnetic object or a moving charged particle. It's responsible for magnetic forces and is measured in Tesla (T).

Full List of 100 Physics Formulas, Covering a Wide Range Of Topics in Physics:

Classical Mechanics:
  1. Displacement (d) = Δx = x_final - x_initial
  2. Average Velocity (v_avg) = Δx / Δt
  3. Average Speed (s_avg) = total distance / total time
  4. Instantaneous Velocity (v) = dx/dt
  5. Acceleration (a) = Δv / Δt
  6. Newton's Second Law: F = ma
  7. Weight (W) = mg (weight force)
  8. Frictional Force (F_friction) = μN (friction force)
  9. Tension (T) in a string or rope
  10. Normal Force (N) on an object on a flat surface
  11. Centripetal Acceleration (a_c) = (v^2) / r
  12. Centripetal Force (F_c) = (mv^2) / r
  13. Work (W) = F * d * cos(θ)
  14. Kinetic Energy (KE) = (1/2)mv^2
  15. Potential Energy (PE) = mgh (gravitational potential energy)
  16. Conservation of Mechanical Energy: KE_initial + PE_initial = KE_final + PE_final
  17. Power (P) = W / t
  18. Momentum (p) = mv
  19. Impulse (J) = Δp = FΔt
  20. Conservation of Momentum: ∑p_initial = ∑p_final
  21. Torque (τ) = r * F * sin(θ) (rotational force)
  22. Angular Velocity (ω) = Δθ / Δt
  23. Moment of Inertia (I) = Σ(m_i * r_i^2) (rotational inertia)
  24. Angular Momentum (L) = Iω (rotational momentum)
  25. Universal Gravitational Constant (G) = 6.674 × 10^(-11) N·m^2/kg^2
  26. Gravitational Force (F_gravity) = G * (m1 * m2) / r^2
  27. Kepler's Third Law: T^2 / r^3 = constant (for orbits)
Thermodynamics:
  1. First Law of Thermodynamics: ΔU = Q - W
  2. Heat Transfer (Q) = mcΔT (specific heat)
  3. Ideal Gas Law: PV = nRT
  4. Work done by a gas (W) = PΔV
  5. Heat Engine Efficiency (η) = (W_out / Q_in)
Electromagnetism:
  1. Coulomb's Law: F = k * (|q1 * q2|) / r^2
  2. Electric Field (E) = F / q
  3. Electric Potential (V) = k * (q / r)
  4. Gauss's Law for Electricity: Φ_E = ∮E · dA = q_in / ε_0
  5. Gauss's Law for Magnetism: Φ_B = ∮B · dA = 0 (no magnetic monopoles)
  6. Ampere's Law: ∮B · dl = μ_0 * I_enc (magnetic field around a closed loop)
  7. Faraday's Law of Electromagnetic Induction: ε = -dΦ/dt
  8. Lenz's Law (direction of induced current)
  9. Ohm's Law: V = IR
  10. Resistance (R) = ρ * (L / A) (resistivity)
  11. Kirchhoff's Current Law (KCL)
  12. Kirchhoff's Voltage Law (KVL)
  13. Capacitance (C) = Q / V (capacitors)
  14. Energy Stored in a Capacitor (U) = (1/2)CV^2
  15. Magnetic Field (B) due to a straight current-carrying wire
  16. Magnetic Force on a Moving Charge: F = qvB sin(θ)
  17. Right-Hand Rule for Magnetic Fields
  18. Self-Inductance (L) in a Coil: ε = -L (dI/dt)
Optics:
  1. Snell's Law: n1 * sin(θ1) = n2 * sin(θ2)
  2. Lens Formula: 1/f = 1/v - 1/u
  3. Magnification (m) = -v/u (for lenses)
  4. Mirror Formula: 1/f = 1/v + 1/u
  5. Magnification (m) = -v/u (for mirrors)
  6. Index of Refraction (n) = c/v
  7. Speed of Light (c) = 3.00 x 10^8 m/s
  8. Total Internal Reflection: θ_c = arcsin(n2/n1)
Waves and Sound:
  1. Wave Speed (v) = fλ (wave speed)
  2. Frequency (f) = 1/T (frequency and period relation)
  3. Doppler Effect for Sound: f' = f (v + vo) / (v - vs)
  4. Intensity (I) = P/A (sound intensity)
  5. Sound Level (L) = 10 * log10(I/I0) (decibels)
  6. Speed of Sound (v_s) = √(γ * P/ρ) (in a gas)
Quantum Mechanics:
  1. de Broglie Wavelength (λ) = h / p
  2. Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle: Δx * Δp ≥ h / 2π
  3. Schrödinger Equation (non-relativistic)
  4. Bohr Model of the Hydrogen Atom
  5. Energy Levels (En) = -13.6 eV / n^2 (hydrogen atom)
Nuclear Physics:
  1. Einstein's Mass-Energy Equivalence: E = mc^2
  2. Half-Life (t1/2) = (0.693 / λ) (radioactive decay)
  3. Binding Energy (B) = Δm * c^2 (nuclear reactions)
Fluid Mechanics:
  1. Pressure (P) = F/A (pressure)
  2. Buoyant Force (F_b) = ρ * V * g (buoyancy)
  3. Archimedes' Principle: F_b = weight of fluid displaced
  4. Continuity Equation: A1v1 = A2v2 (fluid flow)
  5. Bernoulli's Equation: P + 1/2ρv^2 + ρgh = constant (fluid dynamics)
Special Relativity:
  1. Lorentz Factor (γ) = 1 / √(1 - (v^2/c^2))
  2. Time Dilation: Δt = Δt_0 / γ
  3. Length Contraction: L = L_0 * γ

Electronics and Circuits:

  1. RC Time Constant (τ) = RC
  2. LC Resonance Frequency (f_r) = 1 / (2π√(LC))
Astrophysics:
  1. Hubble's Law: v = H d (expansion of the universe)
  2. Schwarzschild Radius (Rs) = 2GM / c^2 (black holes)
  3. Escape Velocity (v_escape) = √(2GM / r) (escaping a celestial body)
Statistical Mechanics:
  1. Boltzmann's Constant (k) = 1.38 x 10^(-23) J/K
  2. Boltzmann's Entropy Formula: S = k * ln(W) (entropy)
  3. Ideal Gas Law in Statistical Mechanics: PV = NkT
Quantum Mechanics (Advanced):
  1. Schrödinger Equation (time-dependent)
  2. Wavefunction (Ψ) normalization
  3. Quantum Operators (e.g., Hamiltonian, Momentum)
  4. Quantum Mechanical Tunneling Probability
Atomic and Molecular Physics:
  1. Bohr Radius (a_0) = 0.529 Å (Bohr model)
  2. Rydberg Formula for Hydrogen Spectrum
Solid-State Physics:
  1. Density of States (DOS) in Energy Space
  2. Fermi-Dirac Distribution Function (f(E)) for electrons
Thermal and Statistical Physics:
  1. Boltzmann's Entropy Formula: S = k * ln(W) (entropy)
  2. Maxwell-Boltzmann Distribution (velocity distribution of gas molecules)
  3. Carnot Efficiency (η_Carnot) = 1 - (T_ Cold / T _Hot )
  4. Planck's Radiation Law (blackbody radiation)
These are 100 physics formulas spanning classical mechanics, thermodynamics, electromagnetism, optics, waves, quantum mechanics, nuclear physics, fluid mechanics, special relativity, electronics, astrophysics, statistical mechanics, atomic and molecular physics, solid-state physics, thermal and statistical physics. Please note that some formulas may have variations or are specific to certain conditions or contexts. These are the fundamental physics formulas taught in grades 11 and 12, along with explanations of the variables involved in each formula.

List Of Coefficients Used In Physics Formulas

  1. Coefficient of Friction (μ):
- Static Friction (μ_s): Maximum frictional force preventing motion. - Kinetic Friction (μ_k): Friction during motion.
  1. Coefficient of Restitution (e):
- Measures collision elasticity.
  1. Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (α):
- Describes material expansion or contraction with temperature.
  1. Coefficient of Viscosity (η):
- Indicates fluid resistance to flow.
  1. Coefficient of Linear Expansion (α):
- Measures length change with temperature.
  1. Coefficient of Surface Tension (σ):
- Quantifies surface energy of a liquid.
  1. Coefficient of Elasticity (Young's Modulus, E):
- Measures stiffness of a material.
  1. Coefficient of Thermal Conductivity (κ or k):
- Indicates heat conduction in a material.
  1. Coefficient of Absorption (α):
- Measures the fraction of radiation absorbed by a material.
  1. Coefficient of Reflection (R):
- Measures reflected radiation fraction.
  1. Coefficient of Transmission (T):
- Represents transmitted radiation fraction.
  1. Coefficient of Drag (C_d):
- Quantifies air resistance.
  1. Coefficient of Adhesion (μ_adhesion):
- Measures attraction between different materials in contact.
  1. Coefficient of Electrostatic Force (k):
- Coulomb's constant affecting electrostatic force.
  1. Coefficient of Magnetic Permeability (μ):
- Describes magnetic properties of materials.
  1. Coefficient of Damping (b):
- Describes damping force in harmonic oscillators.
  1. Coefficient of Coupling (k):
- Indicates coupling between two oscillators.
  1. Coefficient of Torsion (κ):
- Measures twisting stiffness in materials.
  1. Coefficient of Absorption (α):
- Describes the absorption of sound in materials.
  1. Coefficient of Reflection (R):
- Measures the reflection of sound waves.
  1. Coefficient of Transmission (T):
- Represents the transmission of sound waves.
  1. Coefficient of Magnetic Susceptibility (χ):
- Indicates magnetization response to an applied magnetic field.
  1. Coefficient of Specific Heat Capacity (c):
- Describes heat energy required to change temperature.
  1. Coefficient of Expansion (β):
- Relates volume change to temperature change.
  1. Coefficient of Inductance (L):
- Measures inductance in electrical circuits.
  1. Coefficient of Capacitance (C):
- Describes capacitance in electrical circuits.
  1. Coefficient of Absorption (α):
- Describes the absorption of light by materials.
  1. Coefficient of Reflection (R):
- Measures the reflection of light waves.
  1. Coefficient of Transmission (T):
- Represents the transmission of light waves.
  1. Coefficient of Refraction (n):
- Indicates the bending of light in different mediums.
  1. Coefficient of Attenuation (α):
- Describes signal loss in optical fibers.
  1. Coefficient of Magnetic Permeability (μ):
- Describes magnetic properties in electromagnetism.
  1. Coefficient of Coefficiency of Friction (μ):
- Describes friction in angular motion.
  1. Coefficient of Compressibility (β):
- Measures volume change with pressure.
  1. Coefficient of Compressibility (κ_T):
- Indicates compressibility in thermodynamics.
  1. Coefficient of Thermal Resistance (R):
- Measures heat resistance in thermal systems.
  1. Coefficient of Poisson's Ratio (ν):
- Describes material deformation under stress.
  1. Coefficient of Adiabatic Index (γ):
- Relates specific heat capacities in thermodynamics.
  1. Coefficient of Reflection (ρ):
- Measures the reflection of radiation in optics.
  1. Coefficient of Transmission (τ):
- Represents the transmission of radiation in optics.
  1. Coefficient of Linear Expansion (β):
- Relates volume change to temperature change for gases.
  1. Coefficient of Thermal Diffusivity (α):
- Describes heat conduction and storage in materials.
  1. Coefficient of Volume Expansion (γ):
- Measures volume change with pressure for gases.
  1. Coefficient of Rolling Resistance (μ):
- Describes rolling resistance in mechanics.
  1. Coefficient of Excess Pressure (P_excess):
- Measures excess pressure in fluid dynamics.
  1. Coefficient of Ductility (ε):
- Indicates material's ability to deform under stress.
  1. Coefficient of Hardness (H):
- Describes material resistance to indentation.
  1. Coefficient of Sliding Friction (μ_slide):
- Measures friction during sliding motion.
  1. Coefficient of Thermal Diffusion (D):
- Describes diffusion in heat conduction.
  1. Coefficient of Piezoelectricity (d):
- Quantifies the piezoelectric effect in certain materials. These coefficients are used across various branches of physics, and their values can differ significantly depending on the specific materials, conditions, and units used in calculations.

Physics Formulas FAQs

Why are these physics formulas important?

These formulas are essential tools for describing and understanding the behavior of physical systems, making predictions, and solving real-world problems in various branches of physics and engineering.

How can I effectively use these formulas for problem-solving?

Practice is key. Understand the concepts behind the formulas, identify the relevant variables, and choose the appropriate formula for a given situation. Solve a variety of problems to build proficiency.

Are these formulas applicable in everyday life?

Yes, many of these formulas have practical applications in everyday life, from calculating velocities in traffic to understanding how electricity works in our homes.

Can I find values for constants used in these formulas easily?

Yes, many constants used in these formulas, such as the speed of light (c) or Planck's constant (h), are well-known and readily available in reference materials or online resources.

Do these formulas cover all of physics?

These formulas provide a broad overview of physics, but the field is vast and constantly evolving. Some specialized areas may have additional formulas and principles not covered here.
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