Physics formulas from Mechanics, Waves, Optics, Heat and 1.

1: Vectors
Thermodynamics, Electricity and Magnetism and Modern
Physics. Also includes the value of Physical Constants. Helps in ˆ
Notation: ~a = axˆı + ay ˆ+ az k
quick revision for CBSE, NEET, JEE Mains, and Advanced. q
Magnitude: a = |~a| = a2x + a2y + a2z Dot product:
0.1: Physical Constants
~
Speed of light c 3 × 108 m/s ~a· b = axbx + ayby + azbz = abcosθ
Planck constant h 6.63 × 10−34 J s
~b
hc 1242 eV-nm
ˆ θ
Gravitation constant G 6.67×10−11 m3 kg−1 s−2 1.4: Work, Power and Energy
Boltzmann constant k 1.38 × 10−23 J/K ~a ×~bˆı
Cross product:
Molar gas constant R 8.314 J/(mol K) kˆ ~a
23 −1
Avogadro’s number NA 6.023 × 10 mol
~ ˆ
Charge of electron e 1.602 × 10−19 C ~a× b = (aybz −azby)ˆı+(azbx −axbz)ˆ+(axby −aybx)k

Permeability of vacuum µ0 4π × 10−7 N/A2 ~

|~a × b| = absinθ
Permitivity of vacuum 8.85 × 10−12 F/ 1.2: Kinematics
Coulomb constant 9 × 109 Average and Instantaneous Vel. and Accel.:
Faraday constant F 96485 C/ ~vav = ∆~r/∆t, ~vinst =
d~r/dt
Mass of electron me 9.1 × 10−31 ~aav = ∆~v/∆t ~ainst =
d~v/dt
Mass of proton mp
Motion in a straight line with constant a:

Relative Velocity: ~vA/B = ~vA −~vB Projectile Motion:

u y
1.67
u sin θ

x
26 × 10−27 H
θ
Mass of neutron mn 1.6749 × 10−27 O u cos θ
R
Atomic mass unit u 1.66 × 10−27

Atomic mass unit u 931.49 MeV/c2

Stefan-Boltzmann /
constant
Rydberg constant R∞ 1.097 × 107 m−1

Bohr magneton µB 9.27 × 10−24 J/T

Bohr radius a0 0.529 × 10−10 m

1.3: Newton’s Laws and Friction
Standard atmosphere atm 1.01325 × 105 Pa
Linear momentum: p~ = m~v Newton’s
Wien displacement 2.9 × 10−3 m K
first law: inertial frame. Newton’s second
b constant
law:

1 MECHANICS
 ~ ~ 5. Hemispherical shell:
Newton’s third law: F AB = −F BA Frictional force: fstatic, max

= µsN, fkinetic = µkN Banking angle:

6. Solid Hemisphere:

7. Cone: the height of CM from the base is h/4 for

the solid cone and h/3 for the hollow cone.
Centripetal force:

Pseudo force: F~pseudo = −m~a0, Fcentrifugal

P
Motion of the CM: M = mi
Minimum speed to complete vertical circle:

vmin, bottom = p5gl, vmin, top = p gl

θ ~ R ~
l Impulse: J = F dt = ∆p~
θ T Beforecollision Aftercollision
Conical pendulum:
Collision: m1 m2 m1 m2
0
mg
2
v1 v2 v 10 v

Work: Momentum conservation: m1v1+m2v2 = m1v10 +m2v20

Elastic Collision:
Kinetic energy:
Potential energy: F = −∂U/∂x for conservative forces. Coefficient of restitution:

Ugravitational = mgh, Uspring

Work done by conservative forces is path independent and , completely elastic completely
depends only on initial and final points: in-elastic

H F~conservative ·d~r = 0. If v2 = 0 and then .

If v2 = 0 and then .
Work-energy theorem: W = ∆K
Elastic collision with and .
Mechanical energy: E = U +K. Conserved if forces are
conservative in nature. 1.6: Rigid Body Dynamics
Power Angular velocity:

1.5: Centre of Mass and Collision Angular Accel.:

Rotation about an axis with constant α:
Centre of mass:

CM of few useful configurations:

P R
Moment of Inertia: I = i miri2, I = r2dm
m1 r m2

1. m1, m2 separated C mr2 1mr2 2mr2 2mr2 1 ml2mr

2

2 3 5 12
by r: m 2r
m1+ m 2
m 1r
m1+ m2
12

b
a
h
yc = 3 h
ring disk shell sphere rod hollow solid rectangle
C
2. Triangle (CM ≡ h
3

Centroid)
C
2r
r π
Ik Ic
3. Semicircular Theorem of Parallel Axes: Ik = Icm + md2 d
C
r 4r
cm
ring: 3π

r
4. Semicircular yc = 2 r
C r
2
z y
Theorem of Perp. Axes: Iz = Ix + Iy x
disc:
3r
yc = 8 r
C 3r
8
 Acceleration: Time
p
Radius of Gyration: k = I/m
period:
Angular Momentum: L~ = ~r × p~, L~ = Iω~ Displacement: x = Asin(ωt + φ)
√
y P θ
Velocity: v = Aω cos(ωt + φ) = ±ω A 2 − x2
~
Torque: ~ F
r Ox

U
Conservation of = const. Potential energy: x
−A 0 A
P ~ P
Equilibrium condition: F = ~0, ~τ = ~0
Kinetic Energy: Kinetic energy Total energy: K
x
−A 0 A
Dynamics:
~cm = I cm α~ F~ext = m~cm , pcm = m~cm
τK = 2 mvcm
1 , + 2 I cm ω2 ,a L~ = I cm ω~ + ~cmv× m~cm
2 1

~ r v
1.7: Gravitation
Simple pendulum: l
m1m2 m1 F F m2
Gravitationalforce: F = G r2
r
Physical Pendulum:
Potential energy:

Gravitational acceleration:
Variation of g with depth: ginside Torsional Pendulum

Variation of g with height: goutside

Effect of non-spherical earth shape on g: gat pole > gat

equator (∵ Re − Rp ≈ 21 km) Effect of earth rotation on Springs in series: eq 1 2

apparent weight: mgθ0 =mg − mω2Rcos2 θ

k2
ω
~
Springs in parallel: keq = k1 + k2 k1

A~
2
mg mω R cos θ
A~ 2
θ δ
R
Superposition of two SHM’s: A~ 1

Orbital velocity of satellite:

Escape velocity:
vo
Kepler’s laws: 1.9: Properties of Matter
a
F/A ∆P F
Y = ∆ l/l ,B = − V ∆ V ,η = Aθ
First: Elliptical orbit with sun at one of
the focus.
Second: Areal velocity is constant. (∵ dL/~ dt = 0).
Third: T2 ∝ a3. In circular orbit .
Modulus of rigidity:

1.8: Simple Harmonic Motion Compressibility: d V

d P

Hooke’s law: F = −kx (for small elongation x.)

Poisson’s ratio: σ = longitudinal strain lateral strain
2.2: Waves on a String
Speed of waves on a string with mass per unit length µ
Elastic energy: stress × strain × volume p
and tension T: v = T/µ Transmitted power: Pav =
2 2 2
2π µvA ν
Surface tension: S = F/l
Interference:
Surface energy: U = SA
y1 = A1 sin(kx − ωt), y2 = A2 sin(kx − ωt + δ) y = y 1
Excess pressure in bubble:
+ y 2 = Asin(kx − ωt + )
∆pair = 2S/R, ∆psoap = 4S/R
q
Capillary rise: A= A12 + A22 + 2A1A2 cosδ
A2 sinδ
Hydrostatic pressure: p = ρgh tan =
A1 + A2 cosδ
Buoyant force: FB = ρV g = Weight of displaced liquid Equation constructive;
=
of continuity: A1v1 = A2v2 v1 v2 (2n + 1)π, destructive.

Bernoulli’s equation: = constant

2 A cos kx
√
A N A N A
Torricelli’s theorem: vefflux = 2gh Standing Waves:
λ/4
Viscous force: F = −ηAddxv
y1 = A1 sin(kx − ωt), y2 = A2 sin(kx + ωt) y = y 1
F
Stoke’s law: F = 6πηrv + y 2 = (2Acoskx)sinωt
v
,
r
Poiseuilli’s equation: Volume flowtime l
nodes; n = 0,1,2,... antinodes.
n = 0,1,2,...
Terminal velocity:
L
k1 k2 String
2 Waves
A N A
2.1: Waves Motion fixed at both ends: N
λ/2
General equation of wave: .
Notation: Amplitude A, Frequency ν, Wavelength λ, Period T, 1. Boundary conditions: y = 0 at x = 0 and at x = L
Angular Frequency ω, Wave Number k, 2. Allowed Freq.: .

3. Fundamental/1st harmonics:

Progressive wave travelling with speed v: y=f(t − x/v), 4. 1st overtone/2nd harmonics:

+x; y=f(t + x/v), −x 5. 2nd overtone/3rd harmonics:

6. All harmonics are present.
y
A
x Progressive sine wave: λ λ
2 L

y = Asin(kx − ωt) = Asin(2π (x/λ − t/T))

 A

N
A N
String fixed at one end: N A Open organ pipe: LA
λ/2 N

A
1. Boundary conditions: y = 0 at x = 0
1. Boundary condition: y = 0 at x = 0
2. Allowed Freq.:
0,1,2,.... Allowed freq.:
2. Fundamental/1st harmonics:
3. Fundamental/1st harmonics:
3. 1st overtone/2nd harmonics:
st rd
4. 1 overtone/3 harmonics:
4. 2nd overtone/3rd harmonics:
5. 2nd overtone/5th harmonics: 5. All harmonics are present.
6. Only odd harmonics are present.

l1 + d
l2 + d
Sonometer:

2.3: Sound Waves

Displacement wave: s = s0 sinω(t − x/v) Pressure wave: p = Resonance column:

p0 cosω(t − x/v), p0 = (Bω/v)s0

Speed of sound waves: Beats: two waves of almost equal frequencies ω1 ≈ ω2

p1 = p0 sinω1(t − x/v), p2 = p0 sinω2(t − x/v) p = p1

s B
= + p2 = 2p0 cos∆ω(t − x/v)sinω(t − x/v) ω = (ω1 +
vliquid ρ, vsolid
ω2)/2, ∆ω = ω1 − ω2 (beats freq.)
Intensity:
Doppler Effect:

Standing longitudinal waves:

p1 = p0 sinω(t − x/v), p2 = p0 sinω(t + x/v) p = p1 + p2 = where, v is the speed of sound in the medium, u0 is
2p0 coskxsinωt the speed of the observer w.r.t. the medium,
considered positive when it moves towards the
source and negative when it moves away from the
source, and us is the speed of the source w.r.t. the
medium, considered positive when it moves towards
L Closed organ pipe: the observer and negative when it moves away from
the observer.

2.4: Light Waves

1. Boundary condition: y = 0 at x = 0 x
2. Allowed freq.:
PlaneWave: E = E 0 sin ω(t − v ),I = I 0
0,1,2,...
aE r I0
sin ω(t −
0
3. Fundamental/1st harmonics: SphericalWave: E = r v ),I = r2

4. 1st overtone/3rd harmonics:

5. 2nd overtone/5th harmonics: Young’s double slit experiment
SP 1

θ
6. Only odd harmonics are present. Path difference: ∆x = dy D d
y

S2 D

Phase difference:
Interference Conditions: for integer n, Visit www.concepts-of-physics.com to buy “IIT JEE
Physics: Topic-wise Complete Solutions” and our
constructive; other books. Written by IITians, Foreword by Dr.
destructive, HC Verma, Appreciated by Students.

constructive;
destructive

Intensity:

3 Optics

f1 f2

I
O
f 3.3: Optical Instruments
v
u

3.1: Reflection of Light

normal
Lawsofreflection: incident i r reflected
(i)
Incident ray, reflected ray, and normal lie in the same
plane (ii) ∠i = ∠r

Plane mirror:
d d

(i) the image and the object are equidistant from

Fringe width:
Optical path: ∆x0 = µ∆x mirror (ii) virtual image of real object Spherical Mirror:

Interference of waves transmitted through thin film:

1. Focal length f = R/2

constructive; 3. Magnification:
destructive.
3.2: Refraction of Light
y speedoflightinvacuum c
θ Refractiveindex: µ= speedoflightinmedium = v
y
Diffraction from a single slit: b D incident reflected
sin i µ2 i
For Minima: nλ = bsinθ ≈ b(y/D) Resolution: Snell’sLaw: sin r = µ1
µ1
µ2
r refracted

0
realdepth d d
θ Apparentdepth: µ= apparentdepth = d0 d I
O
Law of Malus: I = I0 cos2 θ I0 I

− 1 1
Criticalangle: θc = sin µ
µ
θc

2. Mirror equation:

δ = i + i0 − A, general result

for minimum deviation

 δ
δm = (µ − 1)A, for small A δm 1. In normal adjustment:
0
i i
2. Resolving power:

4 HeatandThermodynamics µ1 µ2
4.4: Theromodynamic Processes
4.1: Heat and Temperature P O Q Firstlawofthermodynamics: ∆ Q =∆ U +∆ W
u v
Temp.scales: Workdonebythegas:

1. Mean deviation: δy = (µy − 1)A

2. Angular dispersion: θ = (µv − µr)A
Refraction at spherical surface:
Dispersive power: and i small)
0
A µ

0
A
Dispersion without deviation: µ
Lens maker’s formula:
f
Deviation without dispersion:

Lens formula:
u v

Ideal gas equation: pV = nRT, n : number of moles van

Power of the lens: P = f1, P in diopter if f in metre.
der Waals equation:
Two thin lenses separated by distance d: Thermal expansion: L = L0(1 + α∆T),
A = A0(1 + β∆T), V = V0(1 + γ∆T), γ = 2β = 3α
d
Thermal stress of a material:

4.2: Kinetic Theory of Gases

General: M = mNA, k = R/NA
Simple microscope: m = D/f in normal adjustment. n
Objective Eyepiece

O ∞
Compoundmicroscope: Maxwell distribution of speed:
vp v¯ vrms v
u v fe
D
RMS speed:
1. Magnification in normal adjustment:
Average speed:
2. Resolving power:
Most probable speed:

Pressure:
A
δ
3.4: Dispersion
Deviationbyaprism: i r 0 i
0
A
r
Cauchy’sequation: µ = µ0 + λ2 , A> 0
µ
Dispersionbyprismwithsmall A and i:
fo fe Equipartition of energy: for each degree of
freedom. Thus, for molecule having f
degrees of freedoms.

Internal energy of n moles of an ideal gas is .

Astronomical telescope:
 Specific heat: Entropy:
4.3: Specific Heat
4.5: Heat Transfer
Q
s= m∆ T ∆Q ∆T
Conduction: ∆t = − KA x

Thermalresistance:
Latent heat: L = Q/m Const. T : ∆S = Q T , Varying

Specific heat at constant volume: Adiabatic process: ∆Q = 0, pV γ = constant

Specific heat at constant pressure:

Relation between Cp and Cv: Cp − Cv = R

Ratio of specific heats: γ = Cp/Cv Relation

K 1 K 2 A
between U and Cv: ∆U = nCv∆T Specific heat of gas Rseries
x1 x2

mixture: A2
1 K 2

K A1
Rparallel 1

Molar internal energy of an ideal gas: , f = 3 for =

Kirchhoff’s Law: absorptive poweremissive power Eabodybody = Eblackbody
monatomic and f = 5 for diatomic gas.
Eλ Wien’s

λ
displacement law: λmT = b λm
Wisothermal
Stefan-Boltzmann law:
T1
Q1 Newton’s law of cooling: ddTt = −bA(T − T0)
Efficiencyoftheheatengine: W
Q2
T2

Q1 − Q2
Wisobaric = p(V2 − V1)

Wadiabatic
Wisochoric = 0

work done by the engine η ==

heat supplied to it Q1

ηcarnot

T1
Q1
W
Q2
Coeff. of performance of refrigerator: T2

COP =

5 ElectricityandMagnetism 5.3: Capacitors

 −q +q
Coulomb’slaw: q1 r q2
A A
d
E~
r2

r1

r2
l
r1

C C2
1

C1 C2
A B
Electric field: for r ≥ Rr
q
~r
, for r < R V
Electrostatic energy:
for r ≥ Rr O R
Electrostatic potential: d
E and V of a
uniformly charged spherical
shell: for r < R E R
, for r ≥ Rr
O
Electric dipole moment:

V (r) , for r < R V

Potential of a dipole: θ r
for r ≥ Rr
O R

θ r
Field of a line charge:
p~ Field of an infinite sheet:
Field in the vicinity of conducting surface:
Er Field of a dipole:
Parallel plate capacitor:
Eθ
p~

Torque on a dipole placed in E~: ~τ = p~ × E~ Spherical capacitor: −q +q

Pot. energy of a dipole placed in

5.2: Gauss’s Law and its Applications 5.4: Current electricity

H ~ ~
Electric flux: φ = E ·dS
Gauss’s law: Cylindrical capacitor:
Field of a uniformly charged ring on its axis:
a A Capacitors
q E~
x P in parallel: Ceq = C1 + C2
B

E and V of a
uniformly Capacitors in series:
charged sphere: O R Force between plates of a parallel plate capacitor:
, for r < R E
 1. Thermo-emf:
2. Thermoelectric power: de/dt = a + bT.
Energy stored in capacitor: Energy 3. Neutral temp.: Tn = −a/b.
density in electric field Capacitor with
4. Inversion temp.: Ti = −2a/b.
dielectric:
Thomson effect: emf charge transferredThomson heat=

Current density: j = i/A = σE σ∆T.

Drift speed: Faraday’s law of electrolysis: The mass deposited is m =

Resistance of a wire: R = ρl/A, where ρ = 1/σ Zit = F1 Eit

Temp. dependence of resistance: R = R0(1 + α∆T)

where i is current, t is time, Z is electrochemical
Ohm’s law: V = iR equivalent, E is chemical equivalent, and F = 96485
C/g is Faraday constant.
Kirchhoff’s Laws: (i) The Junction Law: The algebraic sum of
all the currents directed towards a node is zero i.e., Σ node Ii = 5.5: Magnetism
0. (ii)The Loop Law: The algebraic sum of all the potential
differences along a closed loop in a circuit is zero i.e., Lorentz force on a moving charge: F~ = q~v × B~ + qE~
Σloop∆Vi = 0.
Charged particle in a uniform magnetic field:
A v
Resistors in parallel: R1 R2
q mv 2πm
B r= qB ,T = qB
r
B~ ⊗
R1 R2
A B
Resistors in series: Req = R1 + R2 B~
R1 R2 ~l
↑G Force on a current carrying wire:
F~ i
R3 R4
Wheatstone bridge:
V ~
F~ = i l × B~
Magnetic moment of a current loop (dipole):
Balanced if R1/R2 = R3/R4.
µ A~ µ~ = iA~
~
Electric Power: P = V 2/R = I2R = IV i ig G i
i
Galvanometer as an Ammeter: igG i − ig
S Torque on a magnetic dipole placed in B~: ~τ = µ~×B~
= (i − ig)S Energy of a magnetic dipole placed in B~:
R G
U = −µ~·B~
↑
Galvanometer as a Voltmeter: A ig B Bi l B~
Halleffect: Vw = ned w
y
x
i d z
VAB = ig(R + G)

R C
5.6: Magnetic Field due to Current
Charging of capacitors:
i ⊗ B~
h q(t) = CV µ 0 i d~l× ~
V
Biot-Savartlaw: dB~ = 4π r3 r θ
~
− i d~l
1−e RC
t r
C
θ2
Discharging of capacitors: q(t) = q0e −
RC
t
q( t )
Fieldduetoastraightconductor: i
d
⊗ B~
R Time constant in RC circuit: τ = RC θ1

µ0 i
B = 4πd ( cosθ1 − cosθ2 )
Peltierheat
Peltier effect: emf chargetransferred .
Field due to an infinite straight wire:
Seeback effect: e
T
T0 Tn Ti
Force between parallel wires:
dF µ0 i1i2 i1 i2
dl = 2πd
d

a
P
Fieldontheaxisofaring: i B~
d

a
θ
Field at the centre of an arc: B~ a i

Field at the centre of a ring:

H ~ ~
Ampere’s law: B ·d l = µ0Iin Field inside a solenoid:

Field inside a toroid: r

B~2
d
Field of a bar magnet: N B~ 1
S d

HorizontalBh
δ
Angle of dip: Bh = B cosδ
Bv B

Tangent galvanometer:

Moving coil galvanometer: niAB = kθ, i = nABk θ Time period

of magnetometer:

Permeability: B~ = µH~
 5.7: Electromagnetic Induction Capacitive reactance:

H ~ ~ Inductive reactance: XL = ωL
Magnetic flux: φ = B ·dS
Imepedance: Z = e0/i0
Faraday’s law:
Lenz’s Law: Induced current create a B-field that opposes the
www.concepts-of -physics.com |
change in magnetic flux. C R
Z
+ φ

1
R
⊗ B~
~ RC circuit: iωC
Motional emf: e = Blv l v
−

Self inductance:
˜
e0 sin ωt

Self inductance of a solenoid: L = µ0n2(πr2l) Growth of p

Z = R2 + (1/ωC)2, tanφ = ωCR1
current in LR circuit: L R R
i φ
L R LR circuit: i
Z
63 Re ωL

˜
L
R
0. e e0 sin ωt

S i √

−t
Decay of current in LR circuit: i = i0e L/R
i
L R
i
0

0.37i0
t
S i L
R

Power factor: P = ermsirms cosφ Transformer:

Time constant of LR circuit: τ = L/R Energy stored
e1 N1 N2 e2
in an inductor:
˜ i1 i2 ˜
Energy density of B field: Speed of the EM waves in vacuum: √
c =1 / µ0 0

Mutual inductance:

EMF induced in a rotating coil: e = NABω sinωt

i
Alternating current:t
T

i = i0 sin(ωt + φ), T = 2π/ω Average current

in AC:

h 1 R T i2 dti1/2 = √i0 2 i2 t

RMS current: irms = T 0

T

Energy: E = irms2RT
 Visit www.concepts-of-physics.com to buy “IIT JEE I K α
K β
Physics: Topic-wise Complete Solutions” and our other X-ray spectrum:
books. Written by IITians, Foreword by Dr. HC Verma,
λmin λα
Appreciated by Students.
√
Moseley’s law: ν = a(Z − b)

X-ray diffraction: 2dsinθ = nλ

Heisenberg uncertainity principle:

∆p∆x ≥ h/(2π), ∆E∆t ≥ h/(2π)
6.1: Photo-electric effect

www.concepts-of -physics.com |

6 Modern Physics
Photon’s energy: E = hν = hc/λ 6.3: The Nucleus

Photon’s momentum: p = h/λ = E/c Nuclear radius: R = R0A1/3, R0 ≈ 1.1 × 10−15 m

Max. KE of ejected photo-electron: Kmax = hν − φ Decay rate: ddNt = −λN

N
N0
Threshold freq. in photo-electric effect: ν0 = φ/h − λt
t: N = N 0 e N 0
2
0 Population at time
hc
e O t1/2
φ
φ hc
e
Half life: t1/2 = 0.693/λ
V Stopping
Average life: tav = 1/λ
potential:
1

−λ Population after n half lives: N = N0/2n.

Mass defect: ∆m = [Zmp + (A − Z)mn] − M

de Broglie wavelength: λ = h/p
Binding energy: B = [Zmp + (A − Z)mn − M]c2

Q-value: Q = Ui − Uf
Energy in nth Bohr’s orbit:

eV

Radius of the nth Bohr’s orbit:

˚A

Quantization of the angular momentum:

Photon energy in state transition: E2 − E1 = hν

E2 hν hν E2
E1E1
Emission Absorption

Wavelength of emitted radiation: for a transition from nth

to mth state:
Energy released in nuclear reaction: ∆E = ∆mc2 where ∆m =

6.2: The Atom

6.4: Vacuum tubes and Semiconductors
2 4 2 D
mZ e 13.6Z
En = − , En = − HalfWaveRectifier:
8 0 2 h2 n 2 n2
˜
2 2 2
0hn n a0 FullWaveRectifier:
rn = , rn = , a0 =0 .529
πmZe 2 Z ˜ Output

Grid

mreactants − mproducts.

R Output

Triode Valve: Cathode

FilamentPlate

Plate resistance of a triode:

Transconductance of a triode:

Amplification by a triode:
Relation between rp, µ, and gm: µ = rp × gm

Ie Ic

Current in a transistor: Ie = Ib + Ic Ib

α and β parameters of a transistor:

Transconductance:
Logic Gates:
AND OR NAND NOR XOR
A B AB A+B AB A+B AB +¯ AB¯
0 0 0 0 1 1 0
0 1 0 1 1 0 1
1 0 0 1 1 0 1
1 1 1 1 0 0 0