MDCAT Physics Formula Sheet 2026 — Complete by Chapter (Free PDF + Online)

Physics rewards formula fluency more than any other MDCAT subject. Below is the chapter-by-chapter map of every formula that has appeared in past papers 2008–2025.

Mechanics (Chapters 1–5)

• Kinematics — v = u + at; s = ut + ½at²; v² = u² + 2as
• Dynamics — F = ma; p = mv; F = dp/dt; impulse = FΔt = Δp
• Circular motion — a_c = v²/r; F_c = mv²/r; T = 2πr/v
• Work, energy, power — W = Fs cosθ; KE = ½mv²; PE = mgh; P = W/t = Fv
• Gravitation — F = Gm₁m₂/r²; g = GM/r²; v_orbital = √(GM/r); v_escape = √(2gR)

Oscillations & Waves (Chapters 6–8)

• SHM — T = 2π√(m/k) for spring; T = 2π√(l/g) for simple pendulum; ω = 2πf
• Waves — v = fλ; v = √(T/μ) on string; v = √(B/ρ) in fluid; v = √(Y/ρ) in solid
• Doppler — f' = f(v±v_o)/(v∓v_s) — observer signs first, source signs second
• Optics — 1/f = 1/u + 1/v; m = v/u = h'/h; n₁sinθ₁ = n₂sinθ₂

Electricity & Magnetism (Chapters 9–12) — HIGHEST YIELD

• Electrostatics — F = kq₁q₂/r²; E = F/q = kQ/r²; V = kQ/r; U = qV; C = Q/V; C = ε₀A/d
• Current electricity — I = nAev_d; V = IR; R = ρL/A; P = VI = I²R = V²/R
• Kirchhoff — ΣI = 0 (junction); ΣV = 0 (loop)
• Magnetism — F = BIL sinθ; F = qvB sinθ; B = μ₀I/(2πr) for long wire
• EM induction — ε = −dφ/dt; φ = BA cosθ; ε = BvL

Modern Physics (Chapters 13–16) — HIGH YIELD

• Photon — E = hf = hc/λ; KE_max = hf − φ (photoelectric effect)
• de Broglie — λ = h/p = h/mv
• Bohr model — E_n = −13.6/n² eV (hydrogen); r_n = 0.529 × n² Å
• Nuclear — E = mc²; N = N₀e^−λt; t_1/2 = ln(2)/λ
• Electronics — I_C = βI_B; A_v (voltage gain) = R_L/R_in

12 Derivations Worth Memorising

1. v² = u² + 2as (kinematics)
2. Centripetal acceleration a = v²/r
3. Time period of SHM (mass-spring & pendulum)
4. Refractive index n = sinθ_i/sinθ_r
5. Coulomb's law from electric field
6. Capacitance of parallel plate capacitor
7. Force on current-carrying wire in magnetic field
8. EMF induced in moving rod
9. Photoelectric equation
10. de Broglie wavelength
11. Bohr radius (n² quantisation)
12. Radioactive decay law N = N₀e^−λt

FAQ

Q: How many formulas total are tested?

About 60 core formulas across 16 chapters. Anything beyond is application/derivation.

Q: Highest-yield single chapter?

Current Electricity by MCQ count (~4–5 MCQs), followed by Electromagnetism (~3–4 MCQs).

Q: Are SI units always required?

Yes — PMDC answer keys assume SI throughout. Convert before substituting.

Q: Calculator allowed?

No. Practice approximation: 3.14 ≈ π; e ≈ 2.7; g = 10 m/s² in most MCQ options.

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