Physics Formulae & Equations

(Compiled specially for CSEC students)

Formulae/Equations Symbols & Units

Density, = ⁄ = density, kgm-3

Relative Density, = relative density, [dimensionless]
= = mass, kg
= volume, m3

Moment or Torque is the = moment/torque, Nm

rotational or turning effect that a Note that Moment or Torque is NOT Energy and
force produces. = cannot be used with the Joule (J).
= force, N
= distance (perpendicular fr. pivot to F), m

Hooke’s Law states that Force is = force, kgms-2 ≡ N

proportional to the extension of or = displacement/extension, m
spring or elastic material
provided the elastic limit is not
exceeded. ∝

Newtonian Laws: = force, kgms-2 ≡ N

1st Law - The Law of Inertia = mass, kg
2nd Law - ∝ = acceleration, ms-2
( − ) = (final) velocity, ms-1
=
= (initial) velocity, ms-1
= = time, s
3rd Law - Action = Reaction = distance, m
+ or = displacement, m
. =
2
+
= ×
2
= +
1
= +
2

Linear Momentum, = = momentum, kgms-1

Conservation of Momentum, Note that kgms-1 ≠ kgms-2
before = after = mass, kg
= mass of A, kg
Collision of A and B, = mass of B, kg
+ =( + ) = (final) velocity, ms-1
= pre-collision velocity of A, ms-1
Repulsion of A and B, = pre-collision velocity of B, ms-1
= = post-collision velocity of A, ms-1
= post-collision velocity of B, ms-1
Impulse, =
= force, kgms-2 ≡ N
= impulse, Ns ≡ kgms-1
= time, s

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 Physics Formulae & Equations
(Compiled specially for CSEC students)

Formulae/Equations Symbols & Units

Energy = work, Nm ≡ J
Work, = = force (in the dir. of motion), kgms-2 ≡ N
= displacement, m
Kinetic Energy, = = kinetic energy, J
= (gravitational) potential energy, J
(Gravitational) Potential Energy, = mass, kg
= ℎ = velocity, ms-1
= gravitational field strength, ms-2
Power, = ℎ = height, m
= time, s

Efficiency = [dimensionless] (can be expressed as solely

= × 100 as a number or a percentage when that number
is multiplied by 100).
= energy output, J
= energy input, J

Pressure = pressure, Nm-2 ≡ Pa

= = area, m2
= Δℎ (in fluids) = density, kgm-3
= acceleration of free fall, ms-2
Δℎ = change in height, m

Archimedes Principle U = upthrust, N

Upthrust (U)= True Weight of Body W = weight, N
(W1) – Apparent Weight of Body
(W2)

Upthrust (U)= Apparent Weight

Loss of Body (W)

Upthrust (U)= Weight of Fluid

displaced by Body (W)

Gas Laws = pressure, Nm-2 ≡ Pa

Boyle’s Law, = = volume, m3
= temperature, K
Charles’ Law, = , , = constants

Pressure Law, =

General Gas Law or Combined Gas

Equation, =

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 Physics Formulae & Equations
(Compiled specially for CSEC students)

Formulae/Equations Symbols & Units

Heat Capacity, = = heat capacity, JK-1

= specific heat capacity, Jkg-1K-1
Heat Energy, or = heat/thermal energy, J
= ∆ ∆ (delta theta)= change in temperature, K
= = specific latent heat of fusion, Jkg-1
= = specific latent heat of vapourization, Jkg-1

Wave Formulae = velocity, ms-1

= = velocity of incident wave, ms-1
= = velocity of refracted wave, ms-1
=1 , =1 = time, s
= period, s
= frequency, s-1 ≡ Hz
Reflection, =
= distance, m
= wavelength, m
Refraction, (Snell’s Law)
= wavelength of incident wave, m
= = = = wavelength of refracted wave, m
= angle of incident wave, º
Critical Angle – is the angle of = angle of reflection, º
incidence of a wave when the = angle of incidence, º
angle of refraction is 90º, = angle of refraction, º
= = critical angle, º
= refractive index, [dimensionless]
Lens Magnification = refractive index of first medium,
( ) [dimensionless]
= =
( )
= refractive index of second medium,
[dimensionless]

Electricity = voltage/potential difference/

= = electromotive force (e.m.f.), V
= = = current, A
= = = resistance, Ω (Ohm)
= = = power, Js-1 ≡ W
= energy, J
In Series: = time, s
= + + +. .. Q = quantity of charge, As ≡ C

In Parallel:
1 1 1 1
= + + +⋯

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 Physics Formulae & Equations
(Compiled specially for CSEC students)

Formulae/Equations Symbols & Units

Ideal Transformer = power input, W

= power output, W
= voltage (secondary coil), V
= = = voltage (primary coil), V
= number of turns (secondary coil), no
units
= number of turns (primary coil), no units
= current (primary coil), A
= current (secondary coil), A

Atomic Physics = nucleon (mass) number

Particle Relationship, = + = proton (atomic) number
Atomic Representation, = neutron number
Alpha Particle, = representing atom
Beta Particle, = (Helium Particle)
Gamma Emission, = (Electron)
Half Life, ⁄ - time taken for = Gamma Radiation
half of the atoms in a radiating = Energy, J
substance to decay. = mass, kg
Einstein’s Equation – describing = speed of electromagnetic waves (incl. light)
nuclear fusion and fission.
Δ =Δ

Abbreviations:
fr. – from
dir. – direction
incl. – including

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