MCAT Equations
Name Equation Units
Mechanics & Energy
Average speed ∆x m
∆t s
Average velocity ∆d m
∆t s
Acceleration ∆v m
∆t s!
Newton’s Second Law F!"# = ma m !
1 Newton = 1 kg ∙ s
Static Friction F!,!"# = µ!F! m !
1 Newton = 1 kg ∙ s
Kinetic Friction F! = µ!F! m !
1 Newton = 1 kg ∙ s
Force of gravity mgcosθ m !
acting 1 Newton = 1 kg ∙ s
perpendicular to an
inclined plane
Force of gravity mgsinθ m !
acting parallel to an 1 Newton = 1 kg ∙ s
inclined plane
Torque τ = rFsinθ N∙m
Work W = Fdcosθ 1 Joule = N ∙ m
Work (pressure W = P∆V J
volume curve)
Center of mass
x = m!x! + m!x! + m!x!
m! + m! + m!
Mechanical Advantage
MA = F!"#
, F!"
Power W ∆E J
P= t= t 1 watt W = s
Power P = Fv W
Kinetic Energy 1 ! J
KE = 2 mv
Work-Kinetic W!"# = ∆KE = K! − K! J
Energy theorem
Gravitational U = mgh J
Potential Energy
Elastic Potential 1 ! J
Energy U = 2 kx
Hooke’s Law F = −kx N
Frequency of a wave 1 1
f= T
s = Hz
Speed of a wave v = fλ m
s
Fluids
Density m g
ρ= V
cm!
Specific Gravity ρ!"#$%&
ρ!"#$%
Buoyant Force F! = mg = ρ!"#$%Vg N
Pascal’s Law
A!= F!
F!
A!
Name Equation Units
Mechanics & Energy
Average speed ∆x m
∆t s
Average velocity ∆d m
∆t s
Acceleration ∆v m
∆t s!
Newton’s Second Law F!"# = ma m !
1 Newton = 1 kg ∙ s
Static Friction F!,!"# = µ!F! m !
1 Newton = 1 kg ∙ s
Kinetic Friction F! = µ!F! m !
1 Newton = 1 kg ∙ s
Force of gravity mgcosθ m !
acting 1 Newton = 1 kg ∙ s
perpendicular to an
inclined plane
Force of gravity mgsinθ m !
acting parallel to an 1 Newton = 1 kg ∙ s
inclined plane
Torque τ = rFsinθ N∙m
Work W = Fdcosθ 1 Joule = N ∙ m
Work (pressure W = P∆V J
volume curve)
Center of mass
x = m!x! + m!x! + m!x!
m! + m! + m!
Mechanical Advantage
MA = F!"#
, F!"
Power W ∆E J
P= t= t 1 watt W = s
Power P = Fv W
Kinetic Energy 1 ! J
KE = 2 mv
Work-Kinetic W!"# = ∆KE = K! − K! J
Energy theorem
Gravitational U = mgh J
Potential Energy
Elastic Potential 1 ! J
Energy U = 2 kx
Hooke’s Law F = −kx N
Frequency of a wave 1 1
f= T
s = Hz
Speed of a wave v = fλ m
s
Fluids
Density m g
ρ= V
cm!
Specific Gravity ρ!"#$%&
ρ!"#$%
Buoyant Force F! = mg = ρ!"#$%Vg N
Pascal’s Law
A!= F!
F!
A!