Physics & chemistry formulas

Core equations from high-school physics and chemistry, with what each letter means.

25 cardsBeginnerScience

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What is inside

SpeedDistance over time.

v = d / t

Constant acceleration: final velocityStarting speed plus acceleration times time.

v = v₀ + at

Constant acceleration: distanceDistance covered with uniform acceleration.

d = v₀t + ½at²

Newton's second lawForce equals mass times acceleration.

F = ma

WeightThe force gravity exerts on a mass; g is about 9.8 m/s² on Earth.

W = mg

MomentumMass times velocity.

p = mv

Kinetic energyEnergy of motion.

KE = ½mv²

Gravitational potential energyEnergy from height.

PE = mgh

WorkForce times the distance moved along the force.

W = Fd cos θ

PowerWork per unit of time.

P = W / t

PressureForce spread over an area.

P = F / A

DensityMass per unit volume.

ρ = m / V

Ohm's lawVoltage equals current times resistance.

V = IR

Electrical powerVoltage times current.

P = VI

Resistors in seriesResistances add.

R = R₁ + R₂ + …

Resistors in parallelReciprocals add.

1/R = 1/R₁ + 1/R₂ + …

Wave speedFrequency times wavelength.

v = fλ

Mass-energy equivalenceEinstein's famous result.

E = mc²

Heat needed to change temperatureMass times specific heat times the change.

Q = mcΔT

Ideal gas lawRelates pressure, volume, amount and temperature in kelvin.

PV = nRT

MolesMass divided by molar mass.

n = m / M

MolarityMoles of solute per litre of solution.

M = n / V

pHNegative log of the hydrogen ion concentration.

pH = −log[H⁺]

DilutionMoles stay the same when you add solvent.

M₁V₁ = M₂V₂

Percent yieldWhat you got compared with what the reaction could give.

% = actual / theoretical × 100