Basic Physics Formulas & Notes
Do you ever think about why the sky is blue or how gravity works? Physics essentially studies how the
fundamental constituents of our universe interact. Comprising an imperative part of the syllabus for
many competitive exams organised for admission into engineering and technical programmes, this discipline
constitutes a varied range of sub-fields ranging from quantum physics to nuclear physics. This blog aims to
provide you with a comprehensive list of basic Physics formulas that you must know to ace your chosen
competitive exam.
Basic Physics Formula
Real values must be articulated, not simply memorised, in order to understand physics. Applications may expose
us to a variety of ideas, issues, and mathematical formulas. We must apply our aptitude, imagination, and good
sort of potential to things in order to develop solutions. Real values must be articulated, not simply memorized,
to understand physics. Applications may expose us to a variety of ideas, issues, and mathematical formulas. We
must apply our aptitude, imagination, and good sort of potential to things to develop solutions.
List of Basic Physics Formulas
Here are some basic physics formulas for competitive examsBasic Physics
Concept
Formula
Formulas
Average Speed It is used to calculate the average speed (S) of a moving body for the distance
S = d/t
Formula
covered (D) as well as the time duration (T).
Acceleration
Acceleration refers to the rate of change in velocity to the change in time. It is
a =(v-u)/t
Formula
denoted by symbol a.
Density
This formula depicts the denseness of material in a specific given area.
⍴ = m/V
Formula
Power Formula The capacity to perform an activity is known as Energy. On the other hand, energy P=W/t
spent in carrying out an activity (work) for a particular period of time is termed as
Power.
Newton’s
Using the formula, the force can be expressed by the product of mass and
F = ma
Second Law
acceleration of the body.
Weight Formula The formula measures the force with which an object falls due to gravity.
W=mg
Pressure
Pressure refers to the amount of force applied per unit area of the object.
P=F/A
Formula
Ohm’s Law
Ohm’s law states that the current passing through a conductor material is directly V= I × R
Formula
proportional to the potential difference between two endpoints of the conductor.
Kinetic Energy Kinetic energy is the energy that is possessed by a body due to its state of motion. E = 1/2 mv²
Formula
Frequency
Frequency refers to the revolutions completed per second or the number of wave F =v/λ
Formula
cycles.
Pendulum
This equation calculates how long the pendulum takes to swing back and forth in T = 2π√Lg
Formula
seconds
Fahrenheit
This is a conversion formula for temperature.
F = (9/5×
Formula
°C) + 32
Work Formula The work formula measures the multiplication of the magnitude of displacement d W = F × d ×
and the component of the force.
cosθ
Torque Formula Torque is rotational force or turning effect. It measures the magnitude of
T=F×r×
sinθ
Displacement Refers to the change in the object’s position from its initial place to its final
D = 𝑋�f –
Formula
position.
𝑋�i = Δ𝑋�
Mass Formula This formula represents the relationship between force and mass. Here, F = force, F = ma or
m = mass, and a = acceleration.
m = F/m
Popular Basic Physics Formulas
1. Average Speed Formula
Using this Physics formula, we can calculate the average speed (S) of a moving body for the distance covered (D)
as well as the time duration (T).
2. Density Formula
This formula depicts the denseness of material in a specific given area.
3. Acceleration Formula
Acceleration is the rate of change velocity with respect to the change in time.
5. Power Formula
The capacity to perform an activity is known as Energy. On the other hand, energy spent in carrying out an
activity (work) for a particular period of time is termed as Power.
6. Pressure Formula
The amount of force applied per unit of an area is referred to as the pressure of an object.
7. Ohm’s Law Formula
Amongst the popular Physics formulas, Ohm’s Law is explained as the current (I) passing through some
conductor material is directly proportional to the potential difference (V) between the two endpoints of the
conductor.
Basic Physics Notes
To crack any competitive exam, familiarizing oneself with the syllabus and exam pattern is of paramount
importance. Considering the vast number of applicants every year, one cannot deny the fact that, to grab a
tantalizing score you must learn the intricacies of your tips. Often, the important concepts are prepared by
everyone but what fetches the extra marks there is the knowledge of the minute concepts of the subjects.
While you must strengthen your basic Physics formulas, it is also imperative to go through the fundamental
concepts of this subject. To help you strengthen the varied Physics concepts, we have explained some of the
frequently asked topics under this discipline.
SI Units
Questions regarding the SI unit are frequently asked in many engineering exams. Here are the key pointers you
must remember under SI units along with the basic physics formulas mentioned above. SI units as a concept are
given less importance but they hold a very significant presence in question papers of various exams. Following
are some of the important SI you must remember and apply in your basic physics formulas.
Name of the Quantity
SI Unit
Name of the Unit
Mass
Kilogram
Kg
Time
Second
s
Length
Metre
m
Thermodynamic/ Temperature
Kelvin
K
Electric Current
Ampere
A
Luminous
Candela
Cd
Amount of Substance
Mole
Mole
Electric Resistance
Ohm
Ω
Power
Watt
W
Wavelength of Light
Angstrom
Å
Magnetic Induction
Electric Charge
Atmospheric Pressure
Energy
Magnetic Flux
Pressure
Force
Gauss
Coulomb
Bar
Joule
Maxwell
Pascal
Newton
Gs
C
bar
J
Mx
Pa
N
Important Instruments and Devices
Most are only aware of common devices or instruments used in various experiments of physics. These
instruments can be incorporated into varied questions to evaluate a student’s understanding of basic physics
concepts and formulas. Take a look at the following which enlists these instruments and devices as well as their
simplified definitions.
Instruments
Speedometer
Accelerometer
Dynamometer
Anemometer
Galvanometer
Barometer
Viscometer
Seismometer
Voltmeter
Functions
A device used to measure and display the speed of a vehicle.
It is a device that measures acceleration.
Usually, this device is used for measuring the torque, force
as well as the power of a body.
Through this device, we can measure the speed of the wind.
It is an electromechanical instrument which is utilised for detecting
and indicating the electric current.
A barometer is a scientific instrument which has its application in
meteorology and is used to calculate the atmospheric pressure.
Through this device, we can calculate the viscosity of a fluid.
This instrument helps in assessing and measuring the random
motions inside the earth’s crust caused by an earthquake or
volcanic eruption etc.
By using a voltmeter, we can measure the electrical potential
difference between two given points