Equations You Need to Know for the Mcat
The equations you need to know to ace MCAT physics questions
Part 1: Introduction
For many premeds, physics (and organic chemical science) was ane of the more difficult classes they had to take in higher. From long equations to complex math problems to a body of water of formulas, college physics tin can brand even the best student waver.
Fortunately, MCAT physics relies less on your math skills and more on your critical reasoning skills. On the MCAT, you're not allowed to employ a calculator, so physics problems written by the test-makers at the American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC) must be solvable using simple math, estimations, or no math at all. Not to fear—for additional help with using equations, exist sure to refer to our guide on MCAT math.
As such, information technology is very important for premeds studying for the MCAT to build time for learning the important physics equations into their study schedules. Now, what is an important physics equation? An important physics equation is an equation that nosotros've either seen on 1) AAMC practice materials from the MCAT Official Prep Hub or ii) the AAMC's list of content covered on the MCAT.
Hither, we'll show y'all those of import equations that you should know for whatsoever MCAT physics questions you get. By knowing these equations (similar you know functional groups or amino acids), you'll put yourself in the all-time position to score well on the MCAT and increase your odds of receiving that credence letter from the medical schoolhouse of your dreams!
Office two: The MCAT Physics Equations You lot Demand to Know
Rut during phase alter$$ q = m \times 50$$ Thermal expansion$$\Delta Fifty = \blastoff \times L \times \Delta T$$ Volumetric expansion $$\Delta Five = \beta \times Five \times \Delta T$$ First law of thermodynamics$$\Delta U = Q- W $$ Entropy$$\Delta S= \frac{Q_{rev}}{T} $$
Definition of velocity: $$v = \frac{\Delta x}{\Delta t}$$ Definition of acceleration$$a = \frac{\Delta v}{\Delta t}$$ Under constant dispatch, $$v=v_0+at$$ $$\Delta x=(\frac{v+v_0}{two})t$$ $$\Delta 10=v_0t+\frac{1}{2}at^2$$ $$v^2=v_0^2+2a\Delta 10$$ Projectile movement, assuming yard~ten thou/stwo
$$v_y = v_{y0}-10t$$ $$\Delta y=v_{y0}t-5t^2$$ $$\Delta x=v_{x0}t$$ Period of circular movement $$T=\frac{2\pi R}{v_T}$$ Frequency of circular motion $$f=\frac{ane}{T}$$ Converting angular movement to linear motility $$\Delta 10=\Delta \theta \times R$$ $$v_t=\omega \times R$$ *Notation that θ must exist in radians
Centripetal acceleration $$a_c=\frac{v_T^ii}{R}=R\omega^2$$ Torque $$T=RFsin\theta=I\alpha$$
Newton'due south 2nd Police force$$\Sigma F =m\times a$$ Gravitational Strength on earth$$F_g = thou\times thou;\infinite m=9.8\infinite {}^m/_{s^2}$$ Force of Friction$$f=F_N \times \mu$$ Translational Kinetic Energy$$K_T = \frac{1}{two}\times grand \times v^2$$ Gravitational Potential Energy$$U_g = m\times g \times h$$ Conservation of Energy$$E_2 = E_1 - W_{NC}$$ Piece of work done by Abiding Forcefulness$$W=F\times d \times cos\theta$$ Work-Kinetic Energy Theorem$$W = \Delta K$$ Power: $$P = \frac{\Delta W}{\Delta t}$$
Density$$\rho = \frac{m}{V}$$ Specific Gravity$$ SG=\frac{\rho}{\rho_{\mbox{water}}}$$ Buoyant force$$F_B = m_{\mbox{displaced}}\times chiliad = \rho_{\mbox{fluid}}\times V_{\mbox{object}} \times chiliad$$ Hydrostatic pressure$$P = \rho \times g \times h$$ Atmospheric pressure $$\mbox{one atm = 101,000 Pa}$$ Pascal's police force$$\frac{F_1}{A_1}=\frac{F_2}{A_2}=\mbox{constant}$$ Continuity equation $$\frac{\Delta Five}{\Delta t} = \mbox{abiding} = A\times 5$$ Dynamic force per unit area $$q = \frac{i}{2}\times \rho \times v^2$$ Bernoulli'southward equation $$P + \frac{1}{2}\rho v^2 + \rho gh=\mbox{constant}$$
Coulomb'south Law $$F =-\frac{kq_1 q_2}{r^2}$$ Forcefulness due to arbitrary electrical field $$F=E\times q$$ Electric potential $$5=East\times d \times cos \theta$$ Electrical Potential Energy $$U_E = q\times V$$ Electrical Current $$I =\frac{\Delta Q}{\Delta t}$$ Resistance $$R=\rho \frac{l}{A}$$ Conductivity $$\sigma=\frac{1}{\rho}$$ Ohm'south law $$V=IR$$ Equivalence for components in series $$R_T =R_1 + R_2 +...+R_N$$ $$\frac{1}{C_T} = \frac{1}{C_1} + \frac{1}{C_2} + …+\frac{i}{C_N}$$ Equivalence for components in parallel $$\frac{1}{R_T}=\frac{1}{R_1} + \frac{1}{R_2}+...+\frac{one}{R_N}$$ $$C_T = C_1+C_2+...+C_N$$ Capacitance $$C=\frac{Q}{V}$$ Parallel plate capacitance $$C=\frac{k\epsilon_0A}{d}$$ Energy in capacitor $$U=\frac{one}{ii} \frac{Q^ii}{C} = \frac{1}{2}QV=\frac{1}{2} CV^2$$ Lorentz Force (moving charge in b-field) $$F=q\times v\times B \times sin\theta$$ Force on wire in b-field $$F=I\times L\times B\times sin\theta$$ Biot-Savart law (b-field created by direct wire) $$B=\frac{\mu_0I}{2 R}$$ Induced voltage $$\mathcal{East}=-\frac{\Delta \Phi}{\Delta t}$$ Permittivity of space $$\epsilon_0 = 8.85\times ten^{-12}$$ Permeability of free space $$\mu_0 = 4\pi \times 10^{-seven}$$
Snell's law $$n_1 \times sin\theta_1 = n_2 \times sin\theta_2$$ Magnification $$ M = \frac{h'}{h} = \frac{-q}{p}$$ Thin lens equation $$\frac{ane}{f} = \frac{1}{p} + \frac{1}{q} $$ Lens forcefulness $$P=\frac{1}{f}$$ Photon energy $$East=h\times f$$ Double slit equation (applied to diffraction gratings) $$d\times sin\theta = m\times \lambda$$ Unmarried slit equation $$a\times sin\theta = m \times \lambda$$ Doppler equation $$f' = \frac{c+\nu_0}{c-\nu_s} \times f$$ Speed of light $$c=3\times x^viii\infinite {}^yard/_s $$ Planck'due south constant $$h=6.63\times10^{-34}\space {}^J/_s$$
Velocity of sound $$v=f\times \lambda$$ Decibel scale $$\beta = 10log(\frac{I}{I_0}) $$ $$I_0 = x^{-12} \infinite {}^W/_{m^2}$$ Doppler effect $$f'=\frac{\nu+\nu_0}{\nu-\nu_s} \times f$$ Resonance
in strings and open tubes $$L=\frac{n}{2}\times \lambda$$ in tubes with one open i closed end $$50=\frac{2n-1}{4} \times \lambda$$
Electron energy levels $$Due east=-\frac{13.half-dozen\space eV}{north^ii} $$ Captivated or emitted light $$\frac{i}{\lambda}=R(\frac{one}{n_f^ii} - \frac{1}{n_i^2})$$ $$Due east = h\nu = h\frac{c}{\lambda}$$ Mass defect $$m_D = m_P - m_e $$ $$m_D = \frac{East}{c^2} $$ Alpha decay $${}^A_ZX\rightarrow {}^{A-4}_{Z-2}Y + {}^4_2\alpha $$ Beta-minus decay $${}^A_ZX \rightarrow {}^A_{Z+ane}Y + {}^{-ane}_{0}\beta$$ Beta-plus decay $${}^A_ZX \rightarrow{}^A_{Z-ane}Y + {}^{+1}_0\beta$$ Half-life $$Northward=N_0 \times(\frac{1}{2})^{\mbox{# of half-lives}}$$ $$N = N_0 \times (\frac{ane}{ii})^{t/\tau}$$ $$N = N_0 \times e^{-\lambda t} $$ $$\tau=\frac{ln\infinite 2}{\lambda} $$ Rydberg constant $$R_H=1.09 \times 10^7 \space m^{-1}$$ Planck's abiding $$h=vi.6\times 10^{-34} \infinite {}^{thou^2 kg}/_s$$ Speed of light (in a vacuum) $$c=3 \times10^8 \space{}^m/_s$$
Part 3: MCAT Physics Equations practice questions
1. Which of the following is the equation given past Newton'south second police?
A) PE = mgh
B) F = ma
C) PV = nRT
D) 5 = IR
two. Which of the following is the ideal gas constabulary?
A) PE = mgh
B) F = ma
C) PV = nRT
D) V = IR
3. Which of the following best describes the second law of thermodynamics?
A) Objects in motion tend to stay in move
B) Free energy cannot exist created or destroyed
C) Entropy increases over time
D) The entropy of a perfect crystal at absolute cipher is equal to zero
4. A researcher sets up a unproblematic series circuit with a unmarried resistor. Over time, the resistance of the resistor decreases. Which of the following all-time describes the consequence of a decreasing resistance on current, given a constant voltage?
A) Current increases
B) Electric current decreases
C) Current remains the same
D) Electric current can no longer be calculated
5. Given the same wire resistance and length of a metal tube, which of the post-obit cross-exclusive areas would provide the greatest resistivity?
A) 1 m2
B) 10 mii
C) 25 thousand2
D) 100 kii
Answer key for MCAT Physics Equations do questions
1. The correct answer is B. Newton'due south second police force states that force is equal to mass multiple past dispatch (pick B is correct). PE = mgh is the equation for gravitational potential energy (choice A is wrong). PV = nRT is the ideal gas law (option C is incorrect). 5 = IR is Ohm's Law for circuits (choice D is incorrect).
two. The correct respond is C. PV = nRT is the platonic gas law (option C is correct). PE = mgh is the equation for gravitational potential energy (choice A is incorrect). Newton'due south second law states that force is equal to mass multiple by acceleration (option B is incorrect). V = IR is Ohm's Law for circuits (choice D is incorrect).
three. The right answer is C. The second law of thermodynamics discusses entropy and states that entropy increases over fourth dimension unless there are restrictive forces (selection C is correct). Choice A is Newton's first law. Choice B describes the constabulary of conservation of energy. Choice D describes the third law of thermodynamics.
four. The right reply is A. Ohm'due south law is V = IR where V = voltage, I = current, and R = resistance. By rearranging the equation to I = V/R, nosotros see that decreasing R while holding 5 constant leads to an increase in I (choice A is correct; choices B, C, and D are incorrect).
5. The right respond is D. Resistivity is equal to resistance times cross-sectional area divided by length. And then, cross-sectional area is directly proportional to resistivity, pregnant answer choice D is right since it has the greatest cross-sectional area. Further, recall that:
$$\rho=R \frac{A}{50}, R=\rho \frac{50}{A}$$
The question asks united states to consider what might happen when both resistance (R) and length (l) of a wire are held abiding. Let's make up some arbitrary values for those numbers, and set up R=100 and 50=one. If the cross-sectional area A=1, then resistivity ρ=100. Alternatively, if the cross-exclusive surface area A=100, and so ρ=10000.
Source: https://www.shemmassianconsulting.com/blog/mcat-physics-equations
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