Physics Tutorial

Formula List (Force and Motion)

1. Linear motion

➢ For uniformly accelerated motion (i.e. acceleration a = constant)

𝑣 = 𝑢 + 𝑎𝑡
1
𝑠 = 𝑢𝑡 + 𝑎𝑡 2
2
𝑣 2 − 𝑢2 = 2𝑎𝑠
1
𝑠= (𝑣 + 𝑢)𝑡
2
Note:
v, u, s, a are all vectors, be very careful with the sign. We usually take upward/rightward
as positive, unless otherwise specified (E.g. the question has specified that which
direction is positive/negative.)

2. Newton’s law of motion

➢ Net force acting on a mass

𝐹𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 𝑚𝑎
➢ Action and reaction force
𝐹𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = −𝐹𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛

3. Moment

➢ Moment of a force
𝑀𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 = 𝐹𝑑
Note:

d is the perpendicular distance from the force to the pivot

4. Work, Energy and Power

➢ Work done by a force

𝑊 = 𝐹𝑠𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃
➢ Power
𝐸
𝑃= = 𝐹𝑣𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃
𝑡
Note:
- 𝜃 is the angle between the force vector and the displacement/velocity vector
- Work done/Power can be negative

➢ Gravitational potential energy

𝑃. 𝐸. = 𝑚𝑔ℎ
➢ Kinetic Energy
1
𝐾. 𝐸. = 𝑚𝑣 2
2
If no work done by other force
➢ 𝐼𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 (𝐾. 𝐸. +𝑃. 𝐸. ) = 𝐹𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 (𝐾. 𝐸 + 𝑃. 𝐸. )
(i.e. conservation of mechanical energy)

5. Projectile motion

➢ Projectile range
𝑅 = 𝑢𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃𝑡
𝑢2 𝑠𝑖𝑛2𝜃
𝑅=
𝑔
➢ Maximum height
(𝑢𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃)2
ℎ=
2𝑔
➢ Time of flight
2𝑢𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃
𝑡=
𝑔
Also, these two formulas are very useful in solving projectile problems.
1
𝑠 = 𝑢𝑡 + 𝑎𝑡 2
2
𝑣 2 − 𝑢2 = 2𝑎𝑠

6. Momentum

➢ Momentum of a mass
𝑝 = 𝑚𝑣
➢ Impulse
𝐼 = 𝑚𝑣 − 𝑚𝑢
➢ Net force exerted in horizontal collision
𝑚𝑣 − 𝑚𝑢
𝐹𝑛𝑒𝑡 =
𝑡
➢ Force acting on the object in vertical collision
𝑚𝑣 − 𝑚𝑢
𝑁= + 𝑚𝑔
𝑡
➢ Conservation of momentum
𝑚1 𝑢1 + 𝑚2 𝑢2 = 𝑚1 𝑣1 + 𝑚2 𝑣2
Note:
this formula only applies when there is NO external force in the system.

7. Circular motion

➢ Angular velocity
𝜃
ω=
𝑡
➢ Period of circular motion
2𝜋
T=
𝜔
➢ Linear velocity in circular motion
v = 𝑟𝜔
➢ Centripetal acceleration
𝑣2
2
a = vω = r𝜔 =
𝑟
➢ Centripetal force

𝑚𝑣 2
F = mr𝜔2 =
𝑟

8. Gravitation

➢ Newton’s law of gravitation

𝐺𝑀𝑚
𝐹=
𝑟2
➢ Gravitational field/acceleration due to gravity
𝐺𝑀
𝑔=
𝑟2
➢ Speed of satellite/planet in certain orbit

𝐺𝑀
𝑣=√
𝑟

➢ Orbital radius of communication (synchronous) satellite

3 𝐺𝑀
𝑟=√
𝜔2

In general, for most questions related to gravitation,

Gravitational force = Centripetal force = Weight
i.e.

𝐺𝑀𝑚 2
𝑚𝑣 2
𝐹= = mr𝜔 = = 𝑚𝑔
𝑟2 𝑟