MCAT FORMULA SHEET: This formula sheet is to be used as a

reference tool. DO NOT MEMORIZE these formulas, instead, understand the

concepts behind the equations and the relationships they represent.

Kinematics and Mechanics

1 v2 mv 2
d = vt v f = v0 + at v 2f = v02 + 2a∆x ∆x = v0 t + at 2 ac = , Fc =
2 r r
distance vat vax tax centripetal motion

GM 1 M 2 Fk = µ k FN
F= F net = ma τ = Fl sin θ F = −k x
r2 Fs ≤ µ s FN
Newton's 2nd law torque hooke's Law
law of gravitation friction

Work, Energy, Momentum Thermodynamics

1 2 1 2 ∆Q = mc∆T ∆Q = mL
KE = mv PE grav = mgh PEelastic = kx
2 2 heat energy latent heat
gravitational PE
kinetic energy spring PE

∆U = Q − W
W first law of
P= W = Fd cos θ
t
work thermodynamics
power

p = mv m1v1i + m2 v2i = m1v1 f + m2 v2 f

∆G = ∆H - T ∆S ∆G° = − RT ln K eq
momentum conservation of momentum
Gibbs free energy equilibrium

Fluids and Solids

m ρ substance F
ρ= s.g . = Fb = ρ fluid Vsubmerged g P=
V ρ water A
buoyant force
density specific gravity pressure

π = MRT Ptotal = Patm + Pgauge Pfluid = ρ fluid gh

osmotic pressure total pressure on fluid fluid gauge pressure

1 2 rate A MM B ∆L = α L∆T
A1v1 = A2 v2 P+ ρ v + ρ gh = const. =
2 rate B MM A ∆V = β V ∆T
continuity equation
Bernoulli's equation Graham's Law thermal expansion

Rev. 2A Rev. Date: 2/7/2003

 Electricity & Magnetism
kq kq
E= V=
kq q F r2 ∆U r
Fe = 12 2 E= ∆V =
r q0 electric field due q0 electrical potential
electrostatic force electric field to point charge electrical potential of a point charge
1 µI µI
U = CV 2 B= 0 B= 0
2 2π r F = qvB sin θ 2r
q = VC
energy stored magnetic field F = ILB sin θ magnetic field @
capacitance
by capacitor around a wire magnetic force center of wire loop

Electric Power & Circuits Light and Optics

P = IV c hc
n= E = hf =
∆q I max Vmax v λ
V = IR I= I rms = , Vrms =
∆t 2 2 index of refraction photon energy
electrical power &
current AC circuits
Ohm's Law
n1 sin θ1 = n2 sin θ 2
1 1 1 Rs = R1 + R2 + Snell's Law
= + +
CS C1 C2 1 1 1
= + + 1 1 1
CP = C1 + C2 + RP R1 R2 n2
sin θ crit = , n2 < n1 = +
capacitors in series resistors in series n1 f o i
and in parallel and in parallel total internal reflection lensmaker's eq.

Periodic Motion, Waves and Sound Chemistry and Biology

1 k V1 V
f = ω = 2π f = PV = nRT = 2 1 1 = P2V2
PV
T m T1 T2
wave freq., period ideal gas law Boyle's Law
spring angular freq Charles' Law

g n1 n2
ω = 2π f = v= fλ = pH = − log  H + 
L V1 V2
wave speed pH
pendulum angular freq Avogadro's Law
 v ∓ vD 
f '= f    n2 a 
 v ± vS  M iVi = M f V f P +  (V - nb ) = nRT
 V2 
Doppler effect dilution
Van der Waals equation of state

EMF = E °red + E °ox Ecell = Ecathode - Eanode

Atomic and Nuclear electromotive force EMF
A
Z X →ZA −− 42 Y + α
alpha decay p + q =1
p + 2 pq + q 2 = 1
2

A
Z X→ A
Z +1 Y+ e
0
−1
A
Z X→ A
Z −1 Y+ e
0
+1 Hardy-Weinberg equations
beta-minus decay beta-plus decay

Rev. 2A Rev. Date: 2/7/2003