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
d = vt
v f = v0 + at
v 2f = v02 + 2a∆x
distance
vat
vax
GM 1 M 2
r2
law of gravitation
F=
F net = ma
Newton's 2nd law
Fk = µ k FN
Fs ≤ µ s FN
friction
Work, Energy, Momentum
1 2
mv
2
kinetic energy
ac =
τ = Fl sin θ
F = −k x
torque
hooke's Law
Thermodynamics
1 2
kx
2
spring PE
PE grav = mgh
KE =
v2
mv 2
, Fc =
r
r
centripetal motion
1
∆x = v0 t + at 2
2
tax
∆Q = mc∆T
heat energy
PEelastic =
gravitational PE
∆Q = mL
latent heat
∆U = Q − W
W
P=
t
power
W = Fd cos θ
first law of
work
thermodynamics
p = mv
m1v1i + m2 v2i = m1v1 f + m2 v2 f
momentum
conservation of momentum
∆G = ∆H - T ∆S
Gibbs free energy
∆G° = − RT ln K eq
equilibrium
Fluids and Solids
m
V
density
ρ=
s.g . =
ρ substance
ρ water
specific gravity
Fb = ρ fluid Vsubmerged g
buoyant force
F
A
pressure
P=
π = MRT
Ptotal = Patm + Pgauge
Pfluid = ρ fluid gh
osmotic pressure
total pressure on fluid
fluid gauge pressure
A1v1 = A2 v2
continuity equation
1 2
ρ v + ρ gh = const.
2
Bernoulli's equation
P+
rate A
=
rate B
MM B
MM A
Graham's Law
∆L = α L∆T
∆V = β V ∆T
thermal expansion
Rev. 2A Rev. Date: 2/7/2003
Electricity & Magnetism
kq q
Fe = 12 2
r
electrostatic force
q = VC
capacitance
kq
r2
electric field due
E=
F
E=
q0
electric field
1
U = CV 2
2
energy stored
to point charge
µI
B= 0
2π r
magnetic field
by capacitor
around a wire
Electric Power & Circuits
P = IV
V = IR
electrical power &
Ohm's Law
kq
r
electrical potential
V=
∆U
∆V =
q0
electrical potential
F = qvB sin θ
F = ILB sin θ
magnetic force
center of wire loop
Light and Optics
∆q
∆t
current
I=
I rms =
I max
, Vrms =
2
AC circuits
Vmax
2
c
v
index of refraction
E = hf =
n=
hc
λ
photon energy
n1 sin θ1 = n2 sin θ 2
Rs = R1 + R2 +
1
1
1
=
+
+
CS C1 C2
1
1
1
= +
+
RP R1 R2
CP = C1 + C2 +
resistors in series
and in parallel
capacitors in series
and in parallel
Periodic Motion, Waves and Sound
1
T
wave freq., period
f =
k
m
spring angular freq
ω = 2π f =
g
L
pendulum angular freq
v= fλ
wave speed
ω = 2π f =
 v ∓ vD 
f '= f 

 v ± vS 
Doppler effect
Snell's Law
sin θ crit =
Chemistry and Biology
V1
V
= 2
T1
T2
PV = nRT
ideal gas law
Charles' Law
n1 n2
=
V1 V2
PV
1 1 = P2V2
Boyle's Law
pH = − log  H + 
pH
Avogadro's Law
dilution
X →ZA −− 42 Y + α
1 1 1
= +
f o i
lensmaker's eq.
n2
, n2 < n1
n1
total internal reflection
M iVi = M f V f
Atomic and Nuclear
A
Z
of a point charge
µI
B= 0
2r
magnetic field @

n2 a 
P +
 (V - nb ) = nRT
V2 

Van der Waals equation of state
EMF = E °red + E °ox
Ecell = Ecathode - Eanode
electromotive force
EMF
p + q =1
alpha decay
p + 2 pq + q 2 = 1
Hardy-Weinberg equations
2
A
Z
X→
A
Z +1
Y+ e
0
−1
beta-minus decay
A
Z
X→
A
Z −1
Y+ e
0
+1
beta-plus decay
Rev. 2A Rev. Date: 2/7/2003