Catalog / Physics Essentials Cheatsheet
Physics Essentials Cheatsheet
A concise physics cheat sheet covering fundamental concepts, formulas, and laws across mechanics, thermodynamics, electromagnetism, and optics. Ideal for quick reference and exam preparation.
Mechanics
Kinematics
|
Displacement |
\Delta x = x_f - x_i |
|
Average Velocity |
v_{avg} = \frac{\Delta x}{\Delta t} |
|
Average Acceleration |
a_{avg} = \frac{\Delta v}{\Delta t} |
|
Constant Acceleration |
v = v_0 + at |
|
Constant Acceleration |
x = x_0 + v_0t + \frac{1}{2}at^2 |
|
Constant Acceleration |
v^2 = v_0^2 + 2a(x - x_0) |
|
Projectile Motion (y) |
y = v_{0y}t - \frac{1}{2}gt^2 |
|
Projectile Motion (x) |
x = v_{0x}t |
Dynamics
|
Newton’s Second Law |
\Sigma F = ma |
|
Weight |
W = mg |
|
Friction (Kinetic) |
f_k = \mu_k N |
|
Friction (Static) |
f_s \le \mu_s N |
|
Centripetal Force |
F_c = \frac{mv^2}{r} |
Work and Energy
|
Work |
W = Fd\cos\theta |
|
Kinetic Energy |
KE = \frac{1}{2}mv^2 |
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Potential Energy (Gravitational) |
PE_g = mgh |
|
Potential Energy (Spring) |
PE_s = \frac{1}{2}kx^2 |
|
Power |
P = \frac{W}{\Delta t} |
|
Work-Energy Theorem |
W_{net} = \Delta KE |
Thermodynamics
Basic Concepts
|
Temperature Conversion (Celsius to Kelvin) |
T(K) = T(°C) + 273.15 |
|
Thermal Expansion (Linear) |
\Delta L = \alpha L_0 \Delta T |
|
Thermal Expansion (Volume) |
\Delta V = \beta V_0 \Delta T |
Heat and Specific Heat
|
Heat Transfer |
Q = mc\Delta T |
|
Latent Heat |
Q = mL |
Thermodynamic Processes
|
First Law of Thermodynamics |
\Delta U = Q - W |
|
Work (Isobaric Process) |
W = P\Delta V |
|
Adiabatic Process |
PV^\gamma = constant |
Electromagnetism
Electrostatics
|
Coulomb’s Law |
F = k \frac{|q_1q_2|}{r^2} |
|
Electric Field |
E = \frac{F}{q} |
|
Electric Potential |
V = \frac{k q}{r} |
|
Potential Energy |
U = qV |
Circuits
|
Ohm’s Law |
V = IR |
|
Power (Electrical) |
P = IV = I^2R = \frac{V^2}{R} |
|
Series Resistance |
R_{eq} = R_1 + R_2 + ... |
|
Parallel Resistance |
\frac{1}{R_{eq}} = \frac{1}{R_1} + \frac{1}{R_2} + ... |
|
Capacitance |
C = \frac{Q}{V} |
Magnetism
|
Magnetic Force on a Moving Charge |
F = qvB\sin\theta |
|
Magnetic Force on a Current-Carrying Wire |
F = ILB\sin\theta |
Optics
Wave Optics
|
Index of Refraction |
n = \frac{c}{v} |
|
Snell’s Law |
n_1 \sin\theta_1 = n_2 \sin\theta_2 |
|
Critical Angle |
\theta_c = \sin^{-1}(\frac{n_2}{n_1}) |
Geometric Optics
|
Thin Lens Equation |
\frac{1}{f} = \frac{1}{d_o} + \frac{1}{d_i} |
|
Magnification |
M = -\frac{d_i}{d_o} |