Physics Reference Tables *

Contents:
Table A. Metric Prefixes ........................................................... 1
Table B. Physical Constants...................................................... 2
Table C. Quantities, Variables and Units .................................. 3
Table D. Mechanics Formulas and Equations .......................... 4
Table E. Approximate Coëfficients of Friction .......................... 4
Table F. Angular/Rotational Mechanics Formulas and
Equations .................................................................. 5
Table G. Moments of Inertia .................................................... 5
Table H. Heat and Thermal Physics Formulas and Equations .. 6
Table I. Thermal Properties of Selected Materials ................... 6
Table J. Electricity Formulas & Equations ................................ 7
Table K. Electricity & Magnetism Formulas & Equations ......... 8
Table L. Resistor Color Code .................................................... 8
Table M. Symbols Used in Electrical Circuit Diagrams ............. 8
Table N. Resistivities at 20°C .................................................... 8
Table O. Waves & Optics Formulas & Equations ..................... 9
Figure P. The Electcromagnetic Spectrum ............................... 9
Table Q. Properties of Water and Air ..................................... 10
Table R. Absolute Indices of Refraction ................................. 10
Table S. Fluid Mechanics Formulas and Equations ................ 11
Table T. Planetary Data ......................................................... 11
Table U. Sun & Moon Data ................................................... 11
Table V. Atomic & Particle Physics (Modern Physics) ............ 12
Figure W. Quantum Energy Levels ........................................ 12
Figure X. Particle Sizes ........................................................... 13
Figure Y. Classification of Matter........................................... 13
Table Z. The Standard Model of Elementary Particles .......... 13
Figure AA. Periodic Table of the Elements ............................ 14
Table BB. Symbols Used in Nuclear Physics ........................... 15
Table CC. Selected Radioisotopes.......................................... 15
Table DD. Constants Used in Nuclear Physics ....................... 15
Figure EE. Neutron/Proton Stability Band ............................. 15
Table FF. Geometry & Trigonometry Formulas ..................... 16
Table GG. Values of Trigonometric Functions ....................... 17
Table HH. Some Exact and Approximate Conversions........... 18
Table II. Greek Alphabet ........................................................ 18

Table A. Metric Prefixes

Factor Prefix Symbol

→
→
1 000 000 000 000 000 000 000 000 1024 yotta Y
1 000 000 000 000 000 000 000 1021 zeta Z

→
→
1 000 000 000 000 000 000 1018 exa E

→
1015

→
1 000 000 000 000 000 peta P
1 000 000 000 000 1012 tera T

Move Decimal Point to the Right →

Move Decimal Point to the Left
1 000 000 000 109 giga G
1 000 000 106 mega M
1 000 103 kilo k
100 102 hecto h
10 101 deca da
1 100 — —
0.1 10−1 deci d
0.01 10−2 centi c
0.001 10−3 milli m
0.000 001 10−6 micro μ
0.000 000 001 10−9 nano n
→

0.000 000 000 001 10−12 pico p

→
→

0.000 000 000 000 001 10−15 femto f

0.000 000 000 000 000 001 10−18 atto a
→
→

0.000 000 000 000 000 000 001 10−21 zepto z

0.000 000 000 000 000 000 000 001 10−24 yocto y

* Datafrom various sources, including: The University of the State of New York, The State Education Department. Albany, NY,
Reference Tables for Physical Setting/Physics, 2006 Edition.http://www.p12.nysed.gov/apda/reftable/physics-rt/physics06tbl.pdf,
SparkNotes: SAT Physics website. http://www.sparknotes.com/testprep/books/sat2/physics/,
The Engineering Toolbox: https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com,
and The College Board: Equations and Constants for AP® Physics 1 and AP® Physics 2.
Physics Reference Tables Page 2

Table B. Physical Constants

Common
Description Symbol Precise Value
Approximation
acceleration due to gravity / strength of 9.7639 sm2 to 9.8337 sm2 9.8 sm2  9.8 kgN
g
gravity field on Earth’s surface average value at sea level is 9.806 65 sm 2 or 10 sm  10 kgN
2

6.673 84(80)  10−11 

6.67  10−11  2
2
Nm Nm
universal gravitational constant G kg2 kg2

speed of light in a vacuum c 299 792 458 ms * 3.00  10 8 m

s

elementary charge (proton or electron) e 1.602176 634  10−19 C*  1.6 10 −19 C
6.241 509 074  10 18
6.24  1018
1 coulomb (C) elementary charges elementary charges
(electric) permittivity of a vacuum o 8.854 187 82  10-12 A2 s4
8.85  10 −12 A2 s 4
kgm3 kg m3

(magnetic) permeability of a vacuum o 4 10 −7 = 1.256 637 06 10 -6 Tm

A
1.26  10 −6 Tm
A

1 Nm2 *
electrostatic constant k = 8.987 551 787 368 176 4  10 9 9.0  109  2
Nm
4 o C2 C2

1 electron volt (eV) 1.602 176 565(35)10 −19 J 1.6  10 −19 J

Planck’s constant h 6.626 070 15  10−34 J  s* 6.6  10 −34 J  s

931.494 061(21)MeV/ c2 931MeV/c2
1 universal (atomic) mass unit (u)
1.660 538 921(73)  10 −27 kg 1.66  10−27 kg
Avogadro’s constant NA 6.022 140 76  1023 mol−1 * 6.02  1023 mol−1

Boltzmann constant kB 1.380 649  10−23 KJ * 1.38  10 −23 J

K

universal gas constant R J

8.314 4621(75) molK

8.31 molJK
me e 4
Rydberg constant RH = 10 973731.6 1
1.1  107 m−1
8 o2h3c m

2 5R4 J
Stefan-Boltzmann constant σ = 5.670 374 419  10−8
J
5.67  10−8
15h3c2 m2 sK4 m2 sK4

standard atmospheric pressure

101 325 Pa ≡ 1.01325 bar* 100 000 Pa ≡ 1.0 bar
at sea level
rest mass of an electron me 9.109 382 15(45)  10 −31 kg 9.11  10 −31 kg

mass of a proton mp 1.672 621 777(74)  10 −27 kg 1.67  10 −27 kg

mass of a neutron mn 1.674 927 351(74)  10 −27 kg 1.67  10 −27 kg

*denotes an exact value (by definition)
Physics Reference Tables Page 3
Table C. Quantities, Variables and Units
Quantity Variable MKS Unit Name MKS Unit Symbol S.I. Base Unit
position x meter* m m
distance/displacement, (length, height) d , d ,( , h) meter* m m
angle θ radian, degree —, ° —
area A square meter m2 m2
volume V cubic meter, liter m3 m3
time t second* s s
velocity v meter/second m m
speed of light c s s

1 , s −1 1 , s −1
angular velocity ω radians/second s s
acceleration a meter/second 2 m N m
,
acceleration due to gravity / gravitational field g newton/kilogram s 2 kg s2

1 , s −2 1 , s −2
angular acceleration α radians/second2 s2 s2
mass m kilogram* kg kg
kgm
force F newton N
s2
kg
pressure P pascal Pa
ms 2
energy (generic) E
potential energy U kgm 2
joule J
kinetic energy K , Ek s2

heat Q
kgm 2
work W joule , newton-meter J , N∙m
s2
kgm 2
torque τ newton-meter N∙m s2
kgm 2
power P watt W
s3

momentum p kgm
newton-second N∙s s
impulse J
moment of inertia I kilogram-meter 2 kg∙m2 kg∙m2
kgm2
angular momentum L newton-meter-second N∙m∙s
s
frequency f hertz Hz s−1
wavelength λ meter m m
period T second s s
index of refraction n — — —
electric current I ampere* A A
electric charge q coulomb C A∙s
electric potential V
kgm 2
potential difference (voltage) ΔV volt V
As 3
electromotive force (emf) ε
kg m 2
electrical resistance R ohm Ω
A 2 s 3
A2 s4
capacitance C farad F m2 kg
netwon/coulomb N, V kgm
electric field E C m
volt/meter As 3
kg
magnetic field B tesla T
As 2
temperature T kelvin* K K
amount of substance n mole* mol mol
luminous intensity Iv candela* cd cd
Variables representing vector quantities are typeset in bold italics. * = S.I. base unit
Physics Reference Tables Page 4
Table D. Mechanics Formulas and Equations
   
d = x = x − x o var. = name of quantity (unit)
 = change in something  = coefficient of friction*
x − xo d v o + v
Kinematics = = = vave. (E.g., x means change in x)
t t 2 (dimensionless)
(Distance,    
v = v − v o = at  = sum θ = angle (, rad)
Velocity &
d = distance (m)
Acceleration)     
x − x o = d = v o t + 12 at 2
d = displacement (m)
k = spring constant ( mN )
v 2 − v o2 = 2ad x = displacement of spring (m)
x = position (m)
   L = length of pendulum (m)
t = time (s)
 F = Fnet = ma E = energy (J)
Forces & F f   s FN F f =  k FN v = velocity ( )
m
s K = E k = kinetic energy (J)
Dynamics
Fg = mg =
Gm1 m2 vave. = average velocity ( )
m
s
U = potential energy (J)
r2 h = height (m)
Circular/ 2
a = acceleration ( ) m
s2 Q = heat (J)
v
Centripetal ac =
r (
f = frequency Hz = 1s ) P = power (W)
Motion & W = work (J, N  m)
Force Fc = mac F = force (N)
Fnet = net force (N) T = (time) period (Hz)
1
T= Ff = force due to friction (N) p = momentum (N  s)
f
J = impulse (N  s)
Simple m L Fg = force due to gravity (N)
Ts = 2 Tp = 2  = pi (mathematical constant)
Harmonic k g FN = normal force (N)
Motion  = 3.14159 26535 89793...
 m = mass (kg)
F s = − kx
g = acceleration due to gravity
U s = 12 kx 2
= 10 m2 on Earth
s
p = mv
g = strength of gravity field
Momentum  mi vi =  m f v f
= 10 kg
N on Earth

J = p = Fnet t G = gravitational constant

Gm1 m2
= 6.67  10−11 N m2
2
Ug = mgh =
r kg

p2 r = radius (m)
K= 12 mv 2 =
2m
Energy, Work W = E = (K + U)
& Power
W = Flld = F • d = Fd cos
Etotal = U + K (+Q + ...)
____________________
W
P= = F • v = Fv cos *characteristic property of a substance (to be looked up)
t
Physics Reference Tables Page 5
Table F. Angular/Rotational Mechanics Formulas and Equations
θ = θ − θo var. = name of quantity (unit)
Angular θ − θo θ ωo + ω  = change in something (E.g., x = change in x)
Kinematics = = = ωave.  = sum
t t 2
(Distance, ω = ω − ωo = αt s = arc length (m)
Velocity &
θ = ωot + 12 αt 2 t = time (s)
Acceleration)
 
ω2 − ωo2 = 2α(θ) ac = centripetal acceleration  m2 
    s 
s = r vT = rω aT = rα Fc = centripetal force (N)
Circular/ v2 m = mass (kg)
Centripetal ac = = ω2 r
Motion
r r = radius (m)
 
 −  0 = ω0t + 21 α t 2 r = radius (vector)
θ = angle (, rad)
 mi x i
x cm =
 mi ω = angular velocity ( )
rad
s

I = __ mr =  r dm
2
m
2  
Rotational α = angular velocity  rad 
Dynamics
0
 s2 
Fc = mac = mrω2 τ = torque (N  m)
τ = r F  = rF sin = r⊥F x = position (m)
  
τ = τ net = I α f = frequency (Hz)
1 2 A = amplitude (m)
Simple Harmonic T= =  = phase offset (, rad)
f ω
Motion E = energy (J)
x = Acos(2 ft) + 
K = Ek = kinetic energy (J)
Angular L = r  p = Iω L = rp sin = Iω Kt = translational kinetic energy (J)
Momentum  
L = τt K r = rotational kinetic energy (J)
P = power (W)
K r = 12 I 2
Angular/ W = work (J, N  m)
Rotational K = Kt + K r = 12 mv 2 + 12 I 2 p = momentum (N  s)
Energy, Work &
WR =   L = angular momentum (N  m  s)
Power
W
P= = 
t

Table G. Moments of Inertia

Point Mass:
I = mr 2 Solid Cylinder:
Hollow Cylinder: I = mr 2 I = 12 mr 2 Hoop About Diameter:
I = 12 mr 2

Rod About the Middle: Rod About the End:

Hollow Sphere: Solid Sphere: 1 mr 2 I = 13 mr 2
I= 12
I= 2 mr 2
I = 23 mr 2 5
Physics Reference Tables Page 6

Table H. Heat and Thermal Physics Formulas and Equations

TF = 1.8(TC ) + 32 var. = name of quantity (unit)
Temperature  = Stefan-Boltzmann constant
T(K) = TC + 273.15  = change in something
= (E.g., x = change in x) = 5.67  10 −8
J
Q = mC T TF = Fahrenheit temperature (F)
m2 sK4
V = volume (m3 )
Qmelt = m H fus TC = Celsius temperature (C)
 = linear coëfficient of thermal
Qboil = m Hvap T = temperature (K)
= expansion* (C −1 )
C p − Cv = R Q = heat (J, kJ)
 = volumetric coëfficient of
m = mass (kg)
Heat L =  Li T V = Vi T = thermal expansion* (C −1 )
Q T 1
C = specific heat capacity* ( kJ , J
kgC gC ) P = pressure
= kA = A T t = time (s) n = (number of) moles
t L Ri
L = length (m) R = gas constant = 8.31 molJ K
Q
= εσAT 4 k = coëfficient of thermal
kB = Boltzmann constant = 1.38  10 −23 KJ
t
= conductivity* ( J , W
msC mC ) U = internal energy (J)
P1V1 P2V2  = emissivity* (dimensionless)
= W = work (J)
T1 T2
PV = nRT PV = nRT
Thermodynamics PV = NkBT PV = NkB T
U = Q + W
U= 3 nRT
2
U = 23 nRT
W = −(PV ) = −PV *characteristic property of a substance (to be looked up)
Physics Reference Tables Page 7

Table J. Electricity Formulas & Equations

kq q 1 q1 q 2 var. = name of quantity (unit)
Fe = 12 2 =
r 4 o r 2
 = change in something. (E.g., x = change in x)
Fe Q kq 1 q V
E= = E= =  = Fe = force due to electric field (N)
q oA r 2 4 o r 2 r
Electrostatic Charges
W = q E • d = qEd = qEd cos  o = electric permittivity of a vacuum = 8.85  10 −12 A2 s4
& Electric Fields kg m3
W 1 q 1
V = = E • d = Ed =
2
k = electrostatic constant = = 9.0  109 N m2
q 4 o r 4 o C

UE = qV UE =
kq 1 q2 q = point charge (C)
r Q = charge (C)
Q V
V = I R I=
t
=
R
E = electric field ( NC , mV )
 = IR V = electric potential (V)
V = voltage = electric potential difference (V)
(V )2
P = I V = I 2R =
R
 = emf = electromotive force (V)
W = Pt = IVt W = work (J, N  m)
Circuits and   =  r = relative permittivity* (dimensionless)
Electrical R= d = distance (m)
A
Components
A r = radius (m)
C =  o
d I = current (A)
Q = C V t = time (s)
Ucapacitor = 12 QV = 12 C (V )2 R = resistance ()
Ptotal = P1 + P2 + P3 +  = Pi P = power (W)
Utotal = U1 + U2 + U3 + = Ui ρ = resistivity (  m)
= length (m)
Itotal = I1 = I2 = I3 =
A = cross-sectional area (m2 )
Vtotal = V1 + V2 + V3 + =  Vi
C = capacitance (F)
Series Circuits Requiv. = R1 + R2 + R3 + = Ri
(or Series Sections U = potential energy (J)
Q total = Q 1 = Q 2 = Q 3 =
of Circuits)  = pi (mathematical constant)
1 1 1 1 1
= + + +=  = 3.14159 26535 89793...
C total C1 C 2 C 3 Ci
e = Euler's number (mathematical constant)
Itotal = I1 + I2 + I3 + =  Ii = 2.78182 81812 84590...
Vtotal = V1 = V2 = V3 =
_______________
Parallel Circuits 1 1 1 1 1
=
*characteristic property of a substance (to be looked up)
(or Parallel Sections = + + +
Requiv . R1 R2 R3 Ri
of Circuits)
Q total = Q 1 + Q 2 + Q 3 + = Q i
Ctotal = C1 + C2 + C 3 +  = C i
I −t
charging: = e RC
Io
Q −t
Resistor-Capacitor charging: = 1 − e RC
(RC) Circuits Qmax
I V Q −t
discharging: = = = e RC
Io Vo Qmax
Physics Reference Tables Page 8

Table K. Electricity & Magnetism Formulas & Equations

var. = name of quantity (unit)
FM = q (v  B) FM = q v B sin
 = change in something. (E.g., x = change in x)
FM = (I  B) FM = I B sin
Fe = force due to electric field (N)
V = vBsin 
Magnetism and
V = (v  B)
 I
v = velocity (of moving charge or wire) ( ms )
Electromagnetism B= o q = point charge (C)
2 r
 B = B • A = BA cos
V = voltage = electric potential difference (V)
 = emf = electromotive force (V)
 = B = B v r = radius (m) = distance from wire
t
I = current (A)
= length (m)
t = time (s)
# turns in V I A = cross-sectional area (m2 )
Electromagnetic = in = out
# turns out Vout I in
Induction B = magnetic field (T)
Pin = Pout
o = magnetic permeability of a vacuum = 4  10 −7 TAm
B = magnetic flux (T m2 )

Table M. Symbols Used in Electrical Circuit Diagrams

Component Symbol Component Symbol

wire battery

switch ground

fuse resistor

variable resistor (rheostat,

voltmeter
potentiometer, dimmer)

ammeter lamp (light bulb)

ohmmeter capacitor

diode
Physics Reference Tables Page 9
Table O. Waves & Optics Formulas & Equations
var. = name of quantity (unit)
v = λf  = change in something (E.g., x = change in x)
1
f=
T
v = velocity of wave ( )
m
s

FT
v = velocity of source or detector ( )
m
s
v wave on a string =
Waves  f = frequency (Hz)
λ = wavelength (m)
v +v 
fdoppler shifted = f  wave detector  A = amplitude (m)
 vwave + vsource  x = position (m)
x = A cos(2 ft +  )
T = period (of time) (s)
FT = tension (force) on string (N)
μ = elastic modulus of string ( kgm )
i = r
θ = angle (, rad)
c
n=  = phase offset (, rad)
v
θi = angle of incidence (, rad)
n1 sin 1 = n2 sin 2
Reflection, θr = angle of reflection (, rad)
Refraction &  n2 
 c = s in−1 

 θc = critical angle (, rad)
Diffraction  n1 
n = index of refraction* (dimensionless)
n2 v1 λ 1
= = c = speed of light in a vacuum = 3.00  10 8 ms
n1 v 2 λ 2
d f = s f = distance to focus of mirror/lens (m)
L = m = d sin 
rc = radius of curvature of spherical mirror (m)
di = si = distance from mirror/lens to image (m)
do = so = distance from mirror/lens to object (m)
rc hi = height of image (m)
df =
2 ho = height of object (m)
1 1
+ =
1 M = magnification (dimensionless)
Mirrors & Lenses di do d f d = separation (m)
hi d L = distance from the opening (m)
M= =− i
ho do m = an integer
_______________
*characteristic property of a substance (to be looked up)

Figure P. The Electcromagnetic Spectrum

Physics Reference Tables Page 10
Table S. Fluid Mechanics Formulas and Equations
var. = name of quantity (unit)
m  = change in something. (E.g., x = change in x)
=
V  kg 
F  = density 
 3

P= m 
A
m = mass (kg)
F1 F2
= V = volume (m3 )
A1 A2
P = presure (Pa)
Density & Pressure Phydrostatic = PH = gh
g = gravitational field = 9.8 kg
N  10 N
Pdynamic = PD = 12 v 2 kg
h = height or depth (m)
A1v1 = A2v2
A = area (m2 )
Ptotal = Pext . + PH + PD
P1 + PH ,1 + PD ,1 = P2 + PH ,2 + PD ,2 v = velocity (of fluid) ( ms )
P1 + ρgh1 + 12 ρv12 = P2 + ρgh2 + 12 ρv22 F = force (N)
n = number of moles (mol)
R = gas constant = 8.31 molJ K
N = number of molecules
FB =  Vd g
kB = Boltzmann's constant = 1.38  10 −23 KJ
PV = nRT = NkBT
P1V1 P2V2 T = temperature (K)
=
T1 T2 vrms = root mean square speed ( ms )
Forces, Work &
Energy K(molecular ) = 23 RT M = molar mass* ( mkgol )
3RT 3kBT  = molecular mass* (kg)
v rms = =
M  K = kinetic energy (J)
W = −PV W = work (J, N  m)
_______________
*characteristic property of a substance (to be looked up)
Physics Reference Tables Page 11
Table V. Atomic & Particle Physics (Modern Physics)
var. = name of quantity (unit)
hc
E photon = hf = = pc =   = change in something. (E.g., x = change in x)

E k ,max = hf − 
E = energy (J)
h h = Planck's constant = 6.63  10−34 J  s
=
Energy
p = reduced Planck's constant = h = 1.05  10−34 J  s
E photon = E i − E f 2
f = frequency (Hz)
E 2 = (pc)2 + (mc2 )2

1  1 1 
v = velocity ( ms )
= RH  −
  2 2  c = speed of light = 3.00  108 ms
 n1 n2 
 = wavelength (m)
p = momentum (N  s)
m = mass (kg)
K = kinetic energy (J)
 = work function* (J)
=
1 RH = Rydberg constant = 1.10  107 m−1
1−v
2
c2
 = Lorentz factor (dimensionless)
Special Relativity L = length in moving reference frame (m)
Lo t  mrel Lo = length in stationary reference frame (m)
γ= = =
L t ma t  = time in stationary reference frame (s)
t = time in moving reference frame (s)
mo = mass in stationary reference frame (kg)
mrel = apparent mass in moving reference frame (kg)
_______________
*characteristic property of a substance (to be looked up)
 1 18
IA VIII A

Period
1 2
Physics Reference Tables

H 2 13 14 15 16 17 He
1
hydro gen II A III A IV A VA VI A VII A helium

1.008 4.003
3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

2 Li Be B C N O F Ne
lithium beryllium bo ro n carbo n nitro gen o xygen fluo rine neo n
Figure AA. Periodic Table of the Elements

6.968 9.012 10.81 12.01 14.01 16.00 19.00 20.18

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Na Mg 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Al Si P S Cl Ar
3
so dium magnesium III B IV B VB VI B VII B VIII B VIII B VIII B IB II B aluminum silico n pho spho rus sulfur chlo rine argo n
22.99 24.31 26.98 28.09 30.97 32.07 35.45 39.95
19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36

4 K Ca Sc Ti V Cr Mn Fe Co Ni Cu Zn Ga Ge As Se Br Kr
po tassium calcium scandium titanium vanadium chro mium manganese iro n co balt nickel co pper zinc gallium germanium arsenic selenium bro mine krypto n
39.10 40.08 44.96 47.87 50.94 52.00 54.94 55.85 58.93 58.69 63.55 65.38 69.72 72.63 74.92 78.97 79.90 83.80
37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54

5 Rb Sr Y Zr Nb Mo Tc Ru Rh Pd Ag Cd In Sn Sb Te I Xe
rubidium stro ntium yttrium zirco nium nio bium mo lybdenum technetium ruthenium rho dium palladium silver cadmium indium tin antimo ny tellurium io dine xeno n
85.47 87.62 88.91 91.22 92.91 95.95 98 101.1 102.9 106.4 107.9 112.4 114.8 118.7 121.8 127.6 126.9 131.3
55 56 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86

6 Cs Ba Lu Hf Ta W Re Os Ir Pt Au Hg Tl Pb Bi Po At Rn
cesium barium lutetium hafnium tantalum tungsten rhenium o smium iridium platinum go ld mercury thallium lead bismuth po lo nium astatine rado n
132.9 137.3 175.0 178.5 180.9 183.8 186.2 190.2 192.2 195.1 197.0 200.6 204.4 207.2 209.0 209 210 222
87 88 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118

7 Fr Ra Lr Rf Db Sg Bh Hs Mt Ds Rg Cn Nh Fl Mc Lv Ts Og
francium radium lawrencium rutherfo rdium dubnium seabo rgium bo hrium hassium meitnerium darmstadtium ro entgentium co pernicum niho nium flero vium mo sco vium livermo rium tennessine o ganesso n
223 226 262 267 268 271 272 270 276 281 280 285 284 289 288 293 292 294

57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70
lanthanides La Ce Pr Nd Pm Sm Eu Gd Tb Dy Ho Er Tm Yb
(rare earth metals) lanthanum cerium praseo dymium neo dymium pro methium samarium euro pium gado linium terbium dyspro sium ho lmium erbium thulium ytterbium
138.9 140.1 140.9 144.2 145 150.4 152.0 157.3 158.9 162.5 164.9 167.3 168.9 173.1
89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102
actinides Ac Th Pa U Np Pu Am Cm Bk Cf Es Fm Md No
actinium tho rium pro tactinium uranium neptunium pluto nium americium curium berkelium califo rnium einsteinium fermium mendelevium no belium
227 232.0 231.0 238.0 237 244 243 247 247 251 252 257 258 259
Page 12
Physics Reference Tables Page 13

Table BB. Symbols Used in Nuclear Physics

Name Notation Symbol
alpha particle 4
2 He or 24 
beta particle (electron) 0
−1 e or 0
−1  −
gamma radiation 
0
0 
1
neutron 0n n
1 1
proton 1H or 1p p
positron 0
+1 e or 0
+1  +

Table FF. Geometry & Trigonometry Formulas

A = 12 bh
Triangles c2 = a2 + b2 −2abcosC
a b c
= =
sinA sinB sinC
c 2 = a 2 + b2
a opposite
sin = =
c hypotenuse
b adjacent
cos  = =
Right Triangles c hypotenuse
sin a opposite
tan = = =
cos  b adjacent
b = c cosθ a,b,c = length of a side of a triangle
a = c sinθ  = angle
Rectangles, Parallelograms A = area
A = bh
and Trapezoids C = circumference
Rectangular Solids V = wh S = surface area
V = volume
C = 2 r
Circles b = base
A =  r2 h = height
S = 2 r + 2 r 2 = 2 r( + r ) = length
Cylinders
V =  r 2 w = width
r = radius
S = 4 r 2
Spheres
V = 4  r3
3
Physics Reference Tables Page 14

Table HH. Some Exact and Approximate Conversions Table II. Greek Alphabet
Length 1 cm ≈ width of a small paper clip Α α alpha
1 inch (in.) ≡ 2.54 cm Β β beta
length of a US dollar bill = 6.14 in. = 15.6 cm Γ γ gamma
12 in. ≡ 1 foot (ft.) ≈ 30 cm Δ δ delta
3 ft. ≡ 1 yard (yd.) ≈ 1m Ε ε epsilon
1m ≡ 0.3048 ft. = 39.37 in. Ζ ζ zeta
1 km ≈ 0.6 mi. Η η eta
5,280 ft. ≡ 1 mile (mi.) ≈ 1.6 km Θ θ theta
Ι ι iota
Mass / 1 small paper clip ≈ 0.5 g Κ κ kappa
Weight US 1¢ coin (1983–present) = 2.5 g Λ λ lambda
US 5¢ coin = 5g Μ μ mu
1 oz. ≈ 30 g Ν ν nu
one medium-sized apple ≈ 1N ≈ 3.6 oz. Ξ ξ xi
1 pound (lb.) ≡ 16 oz. ≈ 454 g Ο ο omicron
1 pound (lb.) ≈ 4.45 N Π π pi
1 ton ≡ 2000 lb. ≈ 0.9 tonne Ρ ρ rho
1 tonne ≡ 1000 kg ≈ 1.1 ton Σ σ sigma
Τ τ tau
Volume 1 pinch ≈ 1
/16 teaspoon (tsp.) Υ υ upsilon
1 dash ≈ 1
/8 teaspoon (tsp.) Φ ϕ phi
1 mL ≈ 10 drops Χ χ chi
1 tsp. ≈ 5 mL ≈ 60 drops Ψ ψ psi
3 tsp. ≡ 1 tablespoon (Tbsp.) ≈ 15 mL Ω ω omega
2 Tbsp. ≡ 1 fluid ounce (fl. oz.) ≈ 30 mL
8 fl. oz. ≡ 1 cup (C) ≈ 250 mL
16 fl. oz. ≡ 1 U.S. pint (pt.) ≈ 500 mL
20 fl. oz. ≡ 1 Imperial pint (UK) ≈ 600 mL
2 pt. (U.S.) ≡ 1 U.S. quart (qt.) ≈ 1L
4 qt. (U.S.) ≡ 1 U.S. gallon (gal.) ≈ 3.8 L
4 qt. (UK) ≡ 5 qt. (U.S.) ≡ 1 Imperial gal. (UK) ≈ 4.7 L

Speed / 1 m/s = 3.6 km/h ≈ 2.24 mi./h

mi. km
Velocity 60 /h ≈ 100 /h ≈ 27 m/s

Energy 1 cal ≈ 4.18 J

1 Calorie (food) ≡ 1 kcal ≈ 4.18 kJ
1 BTU ≈ 1.06 kJ

Power 1 hp ≈ 746 W
1 kW ≈ 1.34 hp

Temperature 0K ≡ −273.15°C = absolute zero

0°R ≡ −459.67°F = absolute zero
0°F ≈ −18°C ≡ 459.67°R
32°F = 0°C ≡ 273.15 K = water freezes
70°F ≈ 21°C ≈ room temperature
212°F = 100°C = water boils

Speed of
300 000 000 m/s ≈ 186 000 mi./s ≈ 1 ft./ns
light