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Important Equations in Physics (AS)

Unit 1: Quantities and their measurements (topics 1 and 2 from AS syllabus)

1 System of units M.K.S system, meter, kilogram, second

C.G.S. system, centimetre, gram, second
F.P.S. system and foot, pound, second
SI system
2 SI system luminous Amount of
Length Mass Time Temp Current
Base units metre Kilogram second kelvin(K) ampere(A)
intensity substance
candela (Cd) mole
3 Multiples Tera Giga Mega Kilo Deci centi milli micro nano pico femto atto
of units T G M K d c m µ n p f a
1012 109 106 103 10-1 10-2 10-3 10-6 10-9 10-12 10-15 10-18
4 Celsius to kelvin Add to 273.15 to Celsius scale to convert to
K= θoC +273.15
conversion kelvin scale
5 Accuracy To find the accurate value, we need to know the true value of a physical quantity.
Nothing can be measured absolutely accurate.

m
6 Precision ...value close to the true value. Can be increase by sensitive instrument.

co
7 Error Systematic: due to faulty apparatus Random: due to experimenter
8 Calculation error For sum Q=a+b For difference Q=a-b
ΔQ=Δa+Δb ΔQ=Δa+Δb

e.
9 Calculating error For product Q=a×b For division Q=a/b
∆ ∆ ∆ ∆

10 Significant figures (sf) 1.234

∆ =
1.2
+ ×
1002
ur
3.07
∆ =
0.001
+
0.012
×
0.0230 0.20 190
ct
examples four sf two sf four sf three sf one sf two sf three sf two sf 2 or 3 sf
11 Uncertainty the interval of confidence around the best measured value such that the
∆value measurement is certain not to lie outside this stated interval
le

= ±
12 Percentage and relative
ga

= × 100 =
uncertainty
∆ ∆
= × 100 =
me

13 Vector and scalar Scalar→ only magnitude with units

Vector → magnitude with unit and
quantities Eg. density, pressure, speed, distance
w.

direction eg. velocity, force etc

etc
14 Magnitude of resultant a and b same direction: apply simple addition
ww

vector c of two vectors a a and b opposite direction: apply simple subtraction

and b ⊥ to each other: apply Pythagoras theorem = √ +
Not ⊥ to each other: apply cosine rule = + −2× × ×
15 Direction of resultant a and b in same direction then c is also the in the same direction
vector c of two vectors a a and b opposite direction then c is in the direction of bigger vector
and b ⊥ to each other apply = tan
Not ⊥ to each other: use protractor
16 Components of vector F x- component y-component
making θ with x-axis = × cos = × sin
17 Measurement by cathode Time base: Vertical gain:
ray oscilloscope (cro) horizontal scale or x-axis vertical scale or y-axis

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Unit 2: Motion, force and energy (topic 3, 4, 5 and 6 from AS syllabus)

1 Average velocity ̅ ̅= s is the displacement in meters and t

is the time in seconds.
2 Instantaneous velocity Velocity of an object at any particular instant of time.
3 Average acceleration ∆ Δv is the change of speed and Δt is
=
∆ the change of time. Unit of
acceleration is ms-2
4 Acceleration and velocity Same direction: acceleration is +ve (if velocity is in +ve direction)
Opposite direction: acceleration is -ve, deceleration, retardation
5 Graphical representation

6 Speed-time graph Area under the graph: distance covered by and object
Gradient of the graph: acceleration
7 Distance-time graph Gradient of the graphs: speed of an object
8 Equation for uniform = only use when acceleration=0 and
motion, constant motion no net force is applied
9 Equations for uniformly = + v is the final velocity in ms-1,
accelerated motion ( + ) u is the initial velocity in ms-1,
- body start motion u=0 = s is the distance/displacement in m,
2
- body come to rest v=0 1 a is the acceleration in ms-2 and
- free fall g=a=9.81ms-2 = + t is the time in s.
2
- horizontal motion s=x = +2
- vertical motion s=h=y
10 Friction→ static and Static = × fs is the static friction in newton,
dynamic Dynamic = × fk is the dynamic friction in newton,
N is the reaction or normal force µs is the coefficient of static friction
perpendicular to the surface µk is the coeff. of dynamic friction
11 Air resistance or viscous - Opposing force to the motion in presence of air or fluid
force or viscous drag - During free fall in the beginning: weight≫air resistance+upthrust
- Later: weight> resistance+upthrust
12 Terminal velocity - at terminal velocity, weight= air resistance + upthrust
13 Projectile: x-component → y-component → horizontal range
Motion in two dimensions, no acceleration acceleration is g
v and angle θ with = cos = sin = 2
horizontal, upward is + = = cos = −½ max range at θ=45o
14 Weight and mass: w is the weight in newton (N), m is
weight is force of gravity, the mass in kg and g is acceleration
= ×
mass is the amount of due to gravity=9.81 ms-2
matter, it never changes
15 Stability of an object Lower the centre of gravity →more stable the object is
Wider the base of an object →more stable the object is
16 Momentum Momentum=mass×velocity unit is kg.m.s-1 or N.s
p=m×v
17 Conservation of linear Total momentum before collision = total momentum after collision
momentum + = +
18 Elastic collision Total kinetic energy before collision =total kinetic energy after collision
½ +½ =½ +½
19 Elastic collision for two masses ≠ or = the equation must satisfy
+ = +

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20 Inelastic collision Total kinetic energy before collision>total kinetic energy after collision
½ +½ >½ +½
21 Newton’s first law of Object in motion → stay in motion forever
motion object stationary → stay stationary forever unless force applied
22 Newton’s second law of ⋉ - Net force applied ⋉ acceleration
motion ⋉ 1⁄ - Mass of an object ⋉ 1/acceleration
= -1 N is the amount of force require
= to create an acceleration of 1 ms-2 of
mass of 1 kg; k=1Nkg-1m-1s2
23 Newton’s third law of Action and reaction forces applied by two objects on each other is always
motion equal in magnitude and opposite in direction
24 Momentum and 2nd law of − Rate of change of momentum is
motion = = equal to the net force applied
25 Impulse ∆ = − Constant force acting for short time
26 Density ‘ρ’ in kgm-3 or - ρ of Mercury is 13.6gcm-3
=
gcm-3 - ρ of water is 1gcm-3 at 4oC
m is the mass and V is the volume - ρ of air 0.001293gcm-3

m
27 Pressure p in pascal (Pa) F is the force in N and A is the area
= on which the force applied in m2

co
28 Pressure in fluids due to = ℎ ρ is the density of the fluid, g is the
depth h in meters acceleration due to gravity and h is

e.
the height or depth in metre
29 Upthrust: ℎ =ℎ - Object floats if the density of object
- upward force applied by
fluid on an object
ur
* upthrust is equal to the weight of the
liquid displaced
is less than or equal to the density of
the fluid and object sinks if the
ct
density of object is more than the
density of fluid
30 Measuring the density of
le

ℎ
liquid using (upthrust) - =
Archimedes principle ℎ
ga

31 Torque or moment of = × sin F applied perpendicular to d

force
me

32 Torque due to a couple or Couple = one force × perpendicular distance between the two forces
two equal forces =
33 Conditions of equilibrium Σ =0 -Total or net force applied is zero
w.

Σ =0 -Total torque applied is zero

34 Work : ∆ = × cos F is the force, s is the displacement
ww

ΔW is the work in joules work that causes motion → Ek in the direction of the force applied
work that store energy →Ep and θ is the angle between F and s
35 External work done by an ∆ = ∆ p is the pressure in Pa and ΔV is the
expanding gas In p-V graph the area under the graph expansion of gas in m3
is the work done
35 Work done in stretching a ∆ =½ =½ F is the force applied and x is the
spring Work= area under the F-x graph extension
36 Principal of conservation Loss of gain or Ep=gain or loss of Ek
of mechanical energy Δ =Δ
ℎ=½
37 Electrical potential , = q is the quantity of charge in
energy: coulomb and V is the potential
Work done in bring the difference between the points.
unit positive charge from
infinity to a point.

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38 Internal energy: ∆ = ∆ +∆ ΔQ heat applied, ΔU increase in the
Sum of the Ek and Ep of internal energy and ΔW is the work
the molecules of a system done by the system
39 Power P is the power in watts, W is the
= = work done, F is the force and t time

40 Efficiency of a machine Efficiency can be

= × 100 expressed as percentage

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Unit 3: Electric charge (topic 17, 19 and 20 from the syllabus)

1 Electric field intensity E: ..between the two parallel plates ..due to point charge Q on charge q
force on a unit charge q
= =
at any point around
another charge Q .. uniform between the plates .. decreases with distance increase,
separation d, unit is Vm-1 unit is NC-1
2 Current: Rate of flow of I is the current in amperes (A),
charges in a conductor = Q is the charge in coulombs (C)
t is the time in seconds (s)
3 Current path In circuits the current always choose the easiest path
4 Conduction of electric ..in electrolyte liquids due chemical reaction, ions → electrolysis
charge ..in liquids (eg mercury) or solids (metals) due to free electrons→ conduction
5 Ohms law Voltage across the resistor is V is the voltage in volts (V),
directly proportional to current, I is the current in amperes (A) and
V⋉ I or R is resistance in ohms (Ω)

m
=

co
6 Voltage Energy per unit charge Q is the charge in coulombs (C),

e.
V is the voltage in volts (V)
= Energy is in joules (J)
7 Electromotive force(emf) e.m.f. = lost volts + terminal p.d. the energy transferred to electrical
e.m.f.=Ir+IR ur energy and when 1C charge passes
unit of emf is volts (V) through a circuit.
ct
8 Max. Power dissipated Max. power P when R=r, E is the emf
by the cell =
( + )
le

9 Resistance and resistivity R is the resistance a resistor,

= L is the length of a resistor in meters
ga

ρ is the resistivity of resistor in Ω.m A is the area of cross-section of a

resistor in m2
10 Circuit In series circuit→ the current stays the same and voltage divides
me

In parallel circuit → the voltage stays the same and current divides
11 Resistance in series = + + +⋯
w.

1 1 1 1 R, R1, R2 and R3 are resistances of

12 Resistance in parallel
= + + +⋯ resistor in ohms
ww

13 Potential divider V1 voltage across R1

=
V2 voltage across R2
14 Potential divider
=( )× =( )×
(V total voltage) + +
15 Power P is the power in watts (W)
= × = × =
16 Power The unit of energy is joules (J)
=
17 I-V Characteristics metals diode filament thermistor LDR
I↑, V↑ I in one direction V↑,T↑,R↑,I↓ T↑, R↓, I↑ L↑,R↓.I↑
18 Kirchhoff`s law ∑I = 0 ∑EMF = ∑IR
19 Cathode rays Stream of electrons emitted from heated metal (cathode) are called cathode
rays and the process of emission is called thermionic emission.

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Unit 4: Matter (topic 9, and 10 from the syllabus)

1 Density: ratio of mass to = ρ=m/V where m is the mass and V is

volume, gcm-3, kgm-3 the vol.
2 Kinetic molecular tiny particles, in constant collision, held by strong electric force, large empty
theory of matter space, temp increases the speed of particles,
3 Kinetic molecular Solids: Liquids: Gases:
theory of matter - vibrates at mean position vibrational energy and Vibrational,
energies called vibrational energy translational (movement) translational and
energy rotational energies
4 Brownian Motion Random, zigzag motion of particles
5 Pressure, p ℎ Unit is pascal (Pa)
=

6 Pressure due to liquid = × ×ℎ ρ is density, g is gravity

and h is depth
7 Kinetic energy of the proportional to the thermal energy of a substance
particles of a substance
8 Potential energy of the Due to electrostatic force between particles of a substance
particles of a substance
9 Types of solids (based Crystalline solids: Non-crystalline or amorphous
on the arrangement of Atoms or molecules are arranged in solids:
atoms or molecules) regular three dimensional pattern Atoms or molecules are not
arranged in regular pattern

Polymer solids are either crystalline polymer if the molecules are arranged in
some form of regular pattern or amorphous polymer if there is no particular
systematic arrangement
10 Hooke’s Law The extension of a spring Δx is directly proportional to the force applied Fapp
provide the elastic limit is not reached
= or
=−
k is the spring constant and Fs is the restoring force of spring
11 Elastic limit Gradient or slope of the graph between force F (y-axis) and extension x (x-
axis) is the elastic limit of a spring
12 Stress σ (unit pascal) F is the force applied and A is the
= area of cross-section perpendicular
to the force
13 Strain ε (no unit) x is the change in length and L is
= the original length
14 Young modulus E × ratio of stress over strain
(unit is pascal) = = =
×
15 Young modulus E Gradient or slope of the graph between stress (y-axis) and strain (x-axis)
is the Young modulus of a spring
16 Elastic Hysteresis loop The difference between the areas covered by force- extension during the
expansion to when it is returning back to its original shape is called elastic
hysteresis loop. The area under this loop is the energy dissipated by change in
length for example rubber it is used as vibration absorber.
17 Strain energy 1 1 It is the energy stored in an object
= = due to change of shape or size.
2 2
The area under force-extension
graph is strain energy

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18 Strain energy per unit 1 The area under the stress-strain
volume = × × graph is called strain energy per
2
1 unit volume. The unit of energy is
= × × joules (J).
2
19 Ductile and brittle Ductile: Brittle:
material → drawn into wire without breaking → cannot drawn into wire
→ small elastic region and large ductile → small or large elastic region
→ eg copper wire but small ductile region, eg glass

Unit 4: Nuclear physics (topic 27 from the syllabus)

1 Elementary particles Proton: Electron: Neutron:

of an atom Positive charge, negative charge, no charge,
inside the nucleus, revolve around the nucleus, inside the nucleus,
same mass as neutron mass is 1/1836 of proton same mass as proton
2 Nucleon no ‘A’ also called mass number or atomic weight, it is sum of protons and neutrons

m
3 Proton no ‘Z’ also called atomic number, total number of protons

co
4 Alpha particles Helium nucleus
α-particles Stopped by paper or
Highest ionization potential

e.
5 Beta-particles Fast moving electrons
β-particles Stopped by aluminum or

6 Gamma-particles
Less ionization potential
Electromagnetic radiation
ur
ct
γ-particles Only stopped by thick a sheet of lead
Least ionization potential
7 Alpha decay Parent nuclei X emit two protons and two
le

⇒ + +
neutrons to make alpha particle
8 Beta decay In parent nuclei X one of the neutrons
ga

⇒ + + changes into neutron and electron. The

electron emits as beta
me

9 Gamma decay Gamma decay is the simple loss of energy

⇒ +
from the nucleus
w.

10 Radioactivity is a Does not depend upon the environmental factors eg atm. Pressure,
spontaneous process temperature, humidity, brightness etc
11 Radioactivity is a All the nuclei have equal probability of decay at any time, cannot predict
ww

random process which nucleus will emit radiation.

12 Half-life Time in which the activity or mass of a radioactive substance becomes half
13 Atomic symbol A is the total no of protons and
neutrons
Examples: , , Z is the total no of protons
14 Isotopes Elements having atoms of same number of Eg , or , , or
protons but different number of neutrons
, ,

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Unit 5: Waves (topic 15 and 16 from the syllabus)

1 Wave equation 1 = × v is the speed of wave in ms-1

f is the frequency in Hz
λ is the wavelength in metre
2 Wave equation 2 1 T is the time period of wave in
= second
3 Movement of the particles Longitudinal waves=> back and forth same direction as waves
of the medium Transverse waves=> perpendicular to the direction of waves
4 Wavelength ′ ′ Distance between two crests or two troughs, unit metre (m)
5 Frequency ‘f’ Total number of waves in one second, unit hertz (Hz)
6 Time period ‘T’ Time taken for one complete wave, unit second (s)
7 Speed of wave motion ‘v’ Distance move by crest in direction of wave in 1second, unit ms-1
8 Displacement of particle Distance move by a particle from its mean position in either
‘s’ direction, unit metre (m)
9 Amplitude ‘a’ The maximum distance move by the particle, unit metre (m)
10 Wave fronts Representation of crests of a wave by straight line perpendicular
to the direction of wave. Distance between two wave fronts is
wavelength.
11 Progressive wave Continuous waves created by a source
12 Phase difference When the crests and troughs of two waves do not overlap each
other then two waves have phase difference
13 Coherent waves Two waves of same properties and originate from same source
14 Intensity of a wave ‘ I’ P the amount of wave energy
= per second at particular point
Unit of intensity is Wm-2 falling on surface area A
15 Intensity of a wave ‘I’ Intensity of wave is directly proportional to the amplitude square
⋉
16 Compression region When particles of a medium come close to each other
17 Rarefaction region Where particles of a medium move further apart from each other
18 Diffraction When waves pass through a narrow gap, they spread out.
19 Interference of light waves Constructive interference: Destructive interference:
When the crests-crests and When crests-troughs of two
troughs-troughs of two waves waves overlap each other,
overlap each other, amplitudes amplitudes cancel each other
become added
20 Young double slit For bright fringes: For dark fringes:
experiment ( + 1)
= =
a is the distance between the two slits, D is the distance between
slits and the screen, λ is the wavelength of light, n is the order of
bright or dark fringe counting from the first bright fringe at the
centre, x is the distance of nth fringe from the centre
21 Diffraction grating d is the gap between two grating lines, θ
is the angle of the order of maxima, n is
=
the order of a maxima and λ is the
wavelength
22 Polarized light When the electric and magnetic field of light waves oscillates
only in one dimensions, this process of transforming un-polarized
light into polarized light is called polarization.
23 Standing or stationary A wave results when two waves which are traveling in opposite
waves direction, and which have the same speed and frequency and
approx. equal amplitudes, are superimposed (overlapped)

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24 Stationary waves in a Fundamental mode First overtone or Second overtone or
string of length ‘L’ and or first harmonic: second harmonic: third harmonic:
speed of wave is ‘v’ = or = = or = = or =
(one loop) (two loops) (three loops)
25 Stationary waves in a For nth harmonic frequency:
string of length ‘L’ = where n= 1, 2, 3,....
26 Stationary wave in an air Fundamental mode First overtone or Second overtone or
column one end open one or first harmonic: second harmonic: third harmonic:
end close = or = = or = = or =
(½ loop) (1 ½ loops) (1 ½ loops)
For nth harmonic frequency:
( )
= where n=1,2,3.
27 Speed of light In air: 3×108m/s In glass: 2×108m/s In water: 2.25×108m/s
28 Electromagnetic Spectrum:→ this way the frequency decreases and wavelength increases
Gamma rays ↔ X-rays ↔ UV ↔ Visible light ↔ IR ↔ Micro waves ↔ Radio waves

m
29

co
e.
ur
ct
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ga
me
w.
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