As Level Physics Formula Sheet

Formula Sheet – As Physics

Physical
No. Quantity / Symbol Definition Formula Unit/s
Name
𝒅
Distance travelled per unit time. 𝒗=
Speed 𝒕 𝑚𝑠 −1 , 𝑘𝑚ℎ−1 ,
1 v Avg speed: Total distance per total 𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒
(scalar) vav = 𝑚𝑝ℎ
time 𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒

Velocity ∆𝒔 𝑚𝑠 −1 , 𝑘𝑚ℎ−1 ,
3 V Rate of change of displacement. 𝒗=
(vector) ∆𝒕 𝑚𝑝ℎ
∆𝒗
Acceleration 𝒂=
4 A Rate of change of velocity. 𝒕 𝑚𝑠 −2
(vector) 𝒗−𝒖
𝒂=
𝒕
s: displacement
Applicable when: Equation 1: 𝒗 = 𝒖 + 𝒂𝒕
u: initial 𝒖+𝒗
Equation of velocity • Motion is in straight line. Equation 2: 𝒔 = ×𝒕
5 𝟐
motions v: final velocity • Acceleration is constant Equation 3: 𝒔 = 𝒖𝒕 +
𝟏
𝒂𝒕𝟐
𝟐
a: acceleration
Equation 4: 𝒗𝟐 = 𝒖𝟐 + 𝟐𝒂𝒔
t: time
SI unit: N
𝒎∆𝒗 ∆𝒑
Force 𝑭= = (newtons)
6 F Rate of change of momentum ∆𝒕 ∆𝒕
(vector) SI base unit:
𝑭 = 𝒎𝒂
kgms-2
Momentum
7 p Product of mass and velocity 𝒑 = 𝒎𝒗 kg ms-1
(vector)
Conservation Within a closed system, the total Total momentum before collision = total
8 of momentum in any direction is momentum after collision
momentum constant.
Relative speed of approach = 𝒖𝟏 − 𝒖𝟐 (if they
Type of are in the same direction)
9 Elastic and Inelastic
collisions Relative speed of approach = 𝒖𝟏 + 𝒖𝟐 (if they
are in the opposite direction)

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As Level Physics Formula Sheet

Relative speed of separation = 𝒗𝟏 − 𝒗𝟐 (if they

are in the same direction)
Relative speed of separation = 𝒗𝟏 + 𝒗𝟐 (if they
are in the opposite direction)
𝒖𝟏 − 𝒖𝟐 = 𝒗𝟏 − 𝒗𝟐
Relative speed of approach = relative speed of
separation → Elastic collision
Relative speed of approach ≠ relative speed
of separation → inelastic collision
Impulse 𝑰𝒎𝒑𝒖𝒍𝒔𝒆 = 𝑭 × 𝒕 Ns or
10 Impulse Change in momentum
(vector) 𝑰𝒎𝒑𝒖𝒍𝒔𝒆 = ∆𝒑 = 𝒎(𝒗 − 𝒖) kg ms-1
𝑭𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒕 = 𝑭𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒅 − 𝑭𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆
If object is accelerating it can also be written
SI unit: N
Resultant The resultant force is the single as:
(newtons)
11 Force 𝐹𝑛𝑒𝑡 or 𝐹𝑅 force that has the same effect as 𝒎𝒂 = 𝑭𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒅 − 𝑭𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆
SI base unit:
(vector) two or more forces acting together. 𝑭𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆 are all those forces that opposes the kg ms-2
motion (drag, viscous, air resistance and/or
weight in some cases)
SI unit: N
Weight 𝑾 = 𝒎𝒈 (newtons)
12 W Force of gravity acting on an object
(vector) g = 9.81 ms-2 SI base unit:
kg ms-2
Density
𝝆=
𝒎 𝑘𝑔 𝑚−3
13 𝜌 Mass per unit volume
(scalar) 𝑽 𝑔 𝑐𝑚−3
𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 = 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 × 𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ
Volume of:
Cube: length3
Volume
14 V Space occupied by object Cuboid: length x breadth x height m3
(scalar)
Cylinder: π r2 x height
Sphere: 4/3 π r3
Cone: 1/3 π r2 x height
15 Area A Extent of 2 dimensions Area of rectangle = length x width m2

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As Level Physics Formula Sheet

(scalar) Area of triangle = ½ x length x width

Area of trapezoid = ½ x (h1 + h2) x length
where height 1 and 2 are of two
parallel sides
Area of a circle = π r2
Cross-sectional area of a cylinder = π r2
Cross-sectional area of a sphere = π r2
Area of a sphere = 4 π r2
Diameter d = 2 r
𝑭
𝒑=
𝑨 SI unit: 𝑁 𝑚−2
Pressure Normal force acting per unit cross- Pressure in fluids: or Pa (Pascals)
16 p ∆𝒑 = 𝝆𝒈∆𝒉
(scalar) sectional area. SI base unit:
Total pressure at the depth of liquid body: 𝑘𝑔 𝑚−1 𝑠 −2
𝒑 = 𝝆𝒈𝒉 + 𝒑𝒂𝒕𝒎𝒐𝒔𝒑𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒄
Upthrust occurs due to the pressure 𝒖𝒑𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒖𝒔𝒕 = 𝝆𝒈∆𝑽 N (Newtons)
Upthrust
17 upthrust difference caused by the fluid when Since ∆𝑷 = 𝝆𝒈∆𝒉 and 𝑽𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒎𝒆 = 𝑨𝒉 SI base unit:
(vector)
the object is placed in the fluid. 𝒖𝒑𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒖𝒔𝒕 = ∆𝑷𝑨 kg ms-2
Moment of a force on the body
𝒎𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕
Moment of about any point is the product of Nm
= 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒄𝒆 × ⊥ 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒑𝒊𝒗𝒐𝒕 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎
18 force moment that force and the perpendicular SI base unit:
𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒄𝒆 (𝒎)
(vector) distance from that point to the line kg m2s-2
𝒎𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 = 𝑭𝟏 × 𝒙𝟏
of action of the force.
Torque is a measure of how much a Torque of a couple = Magnitude of one of the
Torque of a SI Unit: N m
force acting on an object causes forces x perpendicular distances between the
19 couple 𝜏 SI base unit:
that object to rotate. The turning forces.
(vector) kg m2s-2
effect of a couple
The work is done on a body when a SI Unit: J
𝑾 = 𝑭𝒔
force moves (displaces) the body in (Joules) or
Work Work done = Energy transformed
20 W the direction of the force. Energy is Nm
(scalar) Force – displacement graph – work is the area
then transferred from one body to SI base unit:
under the graph.
another. kg m2 s-2
21 Change in ∆𝐸𝑃 The energy a body has due to its This equation is when there is change in GPE. SI Unit: J

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Gravitational position in a gravitational field. ∆𝐸𝑃 = 𝑚𝑔∆ℎ (Joules)

Potential ∴ 𝑾 = 𝒎𝒈 SI base unit:
Energy ∆𝐸𝑃 = 𝑊∆ℎ kg m2 s-2
(scalar)
1
Change in ∆𝐸𝐾 = 𝑚∆𝑣 2 SI Unit: J
2
Kinetic The ability to do work due to the Or (Joules)
22 ∆𝐸𝐾 1
Energy movement of the body. SI base unit:
∆𝐸𝐾 = 𝑚(𝑣 2 − 𝑢2 )
(scalar) 2 kg m2 s-2

𝑢𝑠𝑒𝑓𝑢𝑙 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑘
𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦 = × 100
𝑖𝑛𝑝𝑢𝑡 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑘
23 Efficiency efficiency 𝑢𝑠𝑒𝑓𝑢𝑙 𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 No unit.
𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦 = × 100
𝑖𝑛𝑝𝑢𝑡 𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟
𝑾
𝑷= 1𝑊 = 1𝐽𝑠 −1
Power The power is the rate at which it 𝒕
24 P SI base unit:
(scalar) does work per unit of time. Or
kg m2 s-3
𝑷 = 𝑭𝒗
Extension x = Stretched length L – Original
Provided the limit of proportionality
Length Lo k:
is not exceeded, then the extension
25 Hooke’s Law 𝑭 = 𝒌𝒙 N m-1
of an object is proportional to the
k is the spring constant (stiffness of force
applied force (load).
constant of spring).

Series:
Effective 𝟏 𝟏 𝟏
= + +⋯
26 spring 𝑘𝑒𝑓𝑓 𝒌𝒆𝒇𝒇 𝒌𝟏 𝒌𝟐
constant Parallel:
𝒌𝒆𝒇𝒇 = 𝒌𝟏 + 𝒌𝟐 + ⋯

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Area under the Force-extension graph:

Elastic
Potential For a graph starting at origin:
Energy possessed by an object that 1
27 Energy (strain 𝐸𝐸𝑃𝐸 𝑊 = 𝐹𝑥 J (Joules)
is deformed. 2
energy)
1 2
(scalar) 𝑊 = 𝑘𝑥
2
𝑬𝒙𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒙
28 Strain ε Extension per original length Strain = 𝑶𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝑳𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒕𝒉 = 𝑳 No unit
Force applied per unit area that acts 𝑵𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒂𝒍 𝑭𝒐𝒓𝒄𝒆 𝑭
29 Stress σ at a right angle to a surface.
Stress =
𝒄𝒓𝒐𝒔𝒔 −𝒔𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝑨𝒓𝒆𝒂
=
𝑨
Nm-2 = Pa
𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠
𝑌𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑔 𝑀𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑙𝑢𝑠 =
𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛
Young Modulus of a material is the 𝜎
Young 𝐸=
30 E tensile stress in the material divided 𝜀 Nm-2 = Pa
Modulus 𝑭𝑳
by the tensile strain. 𝑬=
𝑨𝒙
It is the gradient of the stress-strain graph.
31 Strain Energy It is the area under the Stress-strain graph. J
The number of oscillations per unit 𝑵𝒐. 𝒐𝒇 𝒐𝒔𝒄𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝑵
time of a point in a wave is called its 𝒇= =
𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒕
Frequency frequency f. For one oscillation, T: s
32 f,T 𝟏
and Period The time taken for one complete f: Hz or s-1
𝒇=
oscillation of a point in wave is 𝑻
called the period T
33 Wave speed v 𝒗 = 𝒇𝝀 ms-1

The position of a wave particle of a

Degrees or
34 Phase 𝜙 periodic waveform is known as
radians
“Phase” of a waveform.

𝟑𝟔𝟎° = 𝟐𝝅 𝒓𝒂𝒅𝒊𝒂𝒏𝒔

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𝚫𝐱
The fraction of a cycle between ∆𝝓 = × 𝟑𝟔𝟎°
Phase 𝝀 Degrees or
35 ∆𝜙 oscillating particles, expressed in
difference radians
either degrees or radians.

𝚫𝐭
∆𝝓 = × 𝟑𝟔𝟎°
𝑻
𝒕𝑷 − 𝒕𝑸
∆𝝓 = × 𝟑𝟔𝟎°
𝑻
𝒑𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓
𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒚 =
𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒂
𝑬𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒈𝒚
Intensity is the rate of energy 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒚 =
𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 × 𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒂
36 Intensity Ɪ transmitted (power) per unit area at 𝑰𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒚 ∝ 𝑨𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒖𝒅𝒆𝟐 W 𝑚−2
right angles to the wave velocity. 𝑰𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒚
= 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒕
𝑨𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒖𝒅𝒆𝟐
𝟏
𝑰 ∝ 𝒙𝟐 (Inverse square law)
𝒇𝒔 × 𝒗
The change in frequency or 𝒐𝒃𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒒𝒖𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒚, 𝒇° =
(𝒗 ± 𝒗𝒔 )
wavelength of a wave observed Source approaching observer, 𝒇° increases,
Doppler’s when the source of the wave is 𝒗 𝒇𝒔 × 𝒗
37
Effect moving towards or away from the 𝒇𝝄 = =
𝝀𝝄 (𝒗 − 𝒗𝒔 )
observer (or the observer is moving
Source moving away from observer, 𝒇°
relative to the source).
decreases,

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𝒗 𝒇𝒔 × 𝒗
𝒇𝝄 = =
𝝀𝝄 (𝒗 + 𝒗𝒔 )

Transmitted light amplitude and Intensity:

𝑨 = 𝑨𝟎 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝜽
𝑰 = 𝑰𝟎 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝟐 𝜽
38 Malus’ Law A = Transmitted light amplitude
I = Transmitted light intensity
A0 = Incident light amplitude
I0 = Incident light intensity
For Two sources in phase:
For constructive interreference:
When two or more waves from 𝒑𝒂𝒕𝒉 𝒅𝒊𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 = 𝒏𝝀
coherent sources superpose/meet, For destructive interreference:
𝟏
their resultant displacement is the 𝒑𝒂𝒕𝒉 𝒅𝒊𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 = (𝒏 + 𝟐)𝝀
sum of their individual For two sources out of phase:
39 Interference
displacement. For constructive interreference:
Path difference = extra distance 𝟏
travelled by a wave compared with 𝒑𝒂𝒕𝒉 𝒅𝒊𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 = (𝒏 + )𝝀
𝟐
the other. For destructive interreference:
𝒑𝒂𝒕𝒉 𝒅𝒊𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 = 𝒏𝝀

Wavelength can be determined by the

following:
𝒂𝒙
When light passes through a 𝝀=
𝑫
double-slit, it is diffracted at each Slit separation a – This is the distance between
Double slit
40 slit and an interference pattern of the centres of the slits. Must be small (< 1mm)
experiment
equally spaced light and dark fringes Fringe separation x – This is the distance the
is observed.
centres of adjacent bright (or dark fringes), It is
AC in the figure. Must be large (approx. 1 m)
Slit-to-screen distance D – This is the distance

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As Level Physics Formula Sheet

from the midpoint of the slits to the central

fringe on the screen.
𝒅 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝜽 = 𝒏𝝀
𝟏
d can be found: 𝒅 =
𝒏𝒖𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓 𝒐𝒇 𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒔 𝒑𝒆𝒓 𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒓𝒆.
d – distance between the slits PQ (two adjacent
slits)
θ – angle of diffraction between the zeroth
Diffraction order and n+ order maxima
41
grating 𝝀 – wavelength of the light
n – order of diffraction
To calculate maximum orders - 𝜽 = 𝟗𝟎°
𝝀
𝒏=
𝒅

A quantity is said to be quantised

Q = ne Coulombs
Quantisation when it has a definite minimum
42 Charge Q n = integer, e = elementary charge SI Base unit:
of charge magnitude and always comes in
∆𝑸 = 𝑰∆𝒕 As
multiples of that magnitude.
rate of flow of electric charge past a 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒈𝒆 A (Ampere)
43 Current Ɪ 𝒄𝒖𝒓𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒕 =
point 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆
𝑰=𝒏×𝒗×𝑨×𝒆
I = current, n = no. of charge carrier, v = drift
velocity, A = Cross-sectional area, e =
Equation of elementary charge
44 Ɪ
current Since moving charge carriers can be ions,
whose charge q is multiple of e. The general
version of the equation is:
𝑰 = 𝒏𝒗𝑨𝒒
Potential difference between two V (Volts)
Potential points is Energy transferred per unit 𝑾 SI Base unit:
45 V 𝑽=
Difference charge as the charge moves ∆𝑸 kg m2 A-1s-3
between the two points.

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V (Volts)
The energy transferred per unit 𝑾
Electromotiv SI Base unit:
46 E charge in driving charge round a 𝑬=
e force e.m.f ∆𝑸 kg m2 A-1s-3
complete circuit.
𝒑𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝒅𝒊𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆
𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 = ≅𝑹 Ω (ohms)
Electrical resistance is the ratio of 𝒄𝒖𝒓𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒕
47 Resistance R 𝑽 SI Base unit:
potential difference to current.
= kg m2 A-2s-3
𝑰
𝑷 = 𝑽𝑰
𝑷 = 𝑰𝟐 𝑹
Electrical The rate at which energy is
48 P 𝑽𝟐 W (Watts)
Power transferred is known as power. 𝑷=
𝑹
Energy transferred = current x voltage x time
𝒍
𝑹=𝝆
𝑨
Resistance in Resistivity is a constant whose value 𝝆 = 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝜌: 𝛺𝑚
49 terms of R depends on the type of material the SI Base unit:
l = length of wire, A = cross-sectional area.
resistivity resistor/component is made of. kg m3 A-2s-3
𝒅𝟐
𝒔𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒂 𝒐𝒇 𝒘𝒊𝒓𝒆 𝑨 = 𝝅
𝟒
1st: The sum of the currents entering
any point in a circuit is equal to the ∑ 𝑰𝒊𝒏 = ∑ 𝑰𝒐𝒖𝒕
sum of the current leaving the same
Kirchhoff’s
50 point.
Law
2nd: The sum of the e.m.f.s around
any loop in a circuit is equal to the ∑𝑬 = ∑𝑽
sum of the p.d.s around the loop.
The internal resistance of a source 𝑬 = 𝑽 + 𝑰𝒓
Internal
51 e.m.f. is the resistance inherent in E = emf, V = terminal p.d., I = total current, r =
Resistance
the source itself internal resistance.

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As Level Physics Formula Sheet

𝑹𝟐
Potential 𝑽𝒐𝒖𝒕 = ( ) × 𝑽𝒊𝒏
52 𝑹𝟏 + 𝑹𝟐
Divider

Using galvanometer in a
AY and AB is
Potentiomete potentiometer circuit to determine
53 length of the
r the emf of an unknown cell.
wire.

𝐞. 𝐦. 𝐟 𝑬𝒙
𝑨𝒀
= × 𝒆. 𝒎. 𝒇 𝒐𝒇 𝒅𝒓𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒄𝒆𝒍𝒍 (𝑬𝒐)
𝑨𝑩
Alpha decay using nuclide notation:
𝑨 𝑨−𝟒 𝟒
𝒁𝑿 → 𝒁−𝟐𝑿′ + 𝟐𝜶
𝟒 𝟒
𝟐𝜶 can also be represented as 𝟐𝑯𝒆
Radioactive
54 Beta minus decay:
Decay 𝟏 𝟏 𝟎 𝟎
𝟎𝒏 → 𝟏𝒑 + −𝟏𝜷 + 𝟎𝒗 ̅
Beta plus decay:
𝟏 𝟏 𝟎 𝟎
𝟏𝒑 → 𝟎𝒏 + +𝟏𝜷 + 𝟎𝒗
55 ElectronVolt eV A unit of energy by a photon. 1.60 x 10-19 J = 1 eV
Baryon Quarks Charge
Neutron udd 2 1 1
+ 𝑒− 𝑒− 𝑒=0
3 3 3
(up, down, down)
56 Quark model
Proton uud 2 2 1
+ 𝑒 + 𝑒 − 𝑒 = +1𝑒
(up, up, down) 3 3 3

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