SI prefixes

Prefi
Symbol 1000m 10n Decimal Short scale Long scale Since[n 1]
x

yotta Y 10008 1024

1000000000000000000000000 Septillion Quadrillion 1991

zetta Z 10007 1021

1000000000000000000000 Sextillion Trilliard 1991

exa E 10006 1018

1000000000000000000 Quintillion Trillion 1975

peta P 10005 1015

1000000000000000 Quadrillion Billiard 1975

tera T 10004 1012

1000000000000 Trillion Billion 1960

giga G 10003 109

1000000000 Billion Milliard 1960

mega M 10002 106

1000000 Million 1960

kilo k 10001 103

1000 Thousand 1795

hecto h 10002/3 102

100 Hundred 1795

deca da 10001/3 101

10 Ten 1795

10000 100
1 One –

deci d 1000−1/3 10−1

0.1 Tenth 1795

centi c 1000−2/3 10−2

0.01 Hundredth 1795

milli m 1000−1 10−3

0.001 Thousandth 1795

micro μ 1000−2 10−6

0.000001 Millionth 1960

nano n 1000−3 10−9

0.000000001 Billionth Milliardth 1960
pico p 1000−4 10−12
0.000000000001 Trillionth Billionth 1960

femto f 1000−5 10−15

0.000000000000001 Quadrillionth Billiardth 1964

atto a 1000−6 10−18

0.000000000000000001 Quintillionth Trillionth 1964

zepto z 1000−7 10−21

0.000000000000000000001 Sextillionth Trilliardth 1991

0.00000000000000000000000
yocto y 1000−8 10−24
Septillionth Quadrillionth 1991
1

1. ^ The metric system was introduced in 1795 with six prefixes. The other dates relate to recognition by a resolution of the CGPM.

[edit]Fundamentals of Mechanics
Foundational equations in translation and rotation.

Quantity Translation Rotation

time t t

position x θ in radians

mass m m

duration Δt Δt

displacement Δx Δθ

conservation of mass Δm = 0 Δm = 0

conservation of energy ΔE = 0 ΔE = 0

conservation of
momentum
ΔP = 0 ΔL = 0
velocity v = dx / dt ω = dθ / dt

acceleration a = dv / dt α = dω / dt

jerk j = da / dt j = dα / dt

potential energy change ΔU = − W ΔU = − W

momentum P = mv L = Iω 

f = dP / dt = ma =
force τ = dL / dt = Iα 
− dU / dx

inertia

impulse

work

power P = dW / dt = fv P = dW / dt = τω

kinetic energy K = mv2 / 2 = P2 / 2m

Newton's Third Law fab = − fba τab = − τba

Every conservative force has a potential energy. By following two principles one can consistently assign a non-relative
value to U:

 Wherever the force is zero, its potential energy is defined to be zero as well.
 Whenever the force does work, potential energy is lost.
[edit]Constant acceleration
Equations in translation and rotation, assuming constant acceleration.
 Quantity Translation Rotation

displacement Δv = at Δω = αt

time Δ(v2) = 2aΔx Δ(ω2) = 2αΔθ

acceleration Δx = tΔv / 2 Δθ = tΔω / 2

initial Δx = − at2 / 2 Δθ = − αt2 / 2 +

velocity + v2t ω2t

Δx = + at2 / 2 Δθ = + αt2 / 2 +

final velocity
+ v1t ω1t

[edit]Uniform circular motion

uniform circular motion angular to linear displacement x = θr

uniform circular motion angular to linear speed v = θω

uniform circular motion angular to linear acceleration normal

component
ar = ω2r

uniform circular motion

uniform circular motion tangential speed

uniform circular motion tangential component, scalar at = αr

uniform circular motion centripetal acceleration

uniform circular motion centripetal acceleration scalar α = v2 / r

uniform circular motion centripetal force f = − mv2 / r

uniform circular motion revolution time T = 2πr / v

[edit]Elasticity

elastic force, lies parallel to spring f = − kd

elastic potential energy U = kx2 / 2

elastic work, positive when

relaxes
W = − kΔ(x2) / 2

[edit]Friction

normal force

static friction maximum, lies tangent to the

surface
f = μsfn

kinetic friction, lies tangent to the surface f = μkfn

drag force, tangent to the path f = μdρav2 / 2

terminal velocity

friction creates heat and sound ΔE = fkd

[edit]Stress and strain

stress

strain

modulus of λ
elasticity = stress / strain

yield strength
ultimate strength

Young's modulus F / A = EΔL / L

shear modulus F / A = GΔx / L

bulk modulus F / A = BΔV / V

[edit]Other

inertial frames xPA = xPB + xAB

... vPA = vPB + vAB

... aPA = aPB + 0

trajectory y = xtanθ − gx2 / 2(V0cosθ)2

flight distance

tension, lies within the cord ft = f

mechanical energy Emec = K + U

mechanical energy is
conserved
ΔEmec = 0 when all forces are conservative

thrust t = Rvrel = ma

ideal rocket equation Δv = ln(mi / mf)vrel

parallel axis theorem I = Icom + mr2

list of moments of inertia

indeterminate systems

[edit]Center of mass and collisions

center of mass COM

...

for constant density:

COM is in all planes of symmetry

elastic collision ΔEk = 0

inelastic collision ΔEk = maximum

conservation of momentum in a two body collision

system COM remains inert

elastic collision, 1D, M2 stationary

...

[edit]Smooth rolling

rolling distance xarc = Rθ

rolling distance ? xcom = Rα

rolling velocity vcom = Rω
rolling ?

rolling down a ramp along axis

x

[edit]Thermodynamics

Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics

(where "=" denotes systems in thermal equilibrium

First Law of Thermodynamics ΔEint = Q + W

Second Law of Thermodynamics

Third Law of Thermodynamics S = Sstructural + CT

temperature T

molecules N

degrees of freedom f

heat Q, ΔE due to ΔT (energy)

thermal mass (extensive property) Cth = Q / ΔT

specific heat capacity (bulk property) cth = Q / ΔTm

enthalpy of vaporization Lv = Q / m

enthalpy of fusion Lf = Q / m

thermal conductivity κ
thermal resistance R = L / κ

thermal conduction rate P = Q / t = A(TH − TC) / R

thermal conduction rate through a composite slab P = Q / t = A(TH − TC) / Σ(Ri)

linear coefficient of thermal expansion dL / dt = αL

volume coefficient of thermal expansion dV / dt = 3αV

Boltzmann constant k (energy)/(temperature)

Stefan-Boltzmann constant σ (power)/(area)(temp)^4

thermal radiation

thermal absorption

adiabatic ΔQ = 0

ideal gas law PV = kTN

work, constant temperature W = kTNln(Vf / Vi)

work due to gas expansion

. . . adiabatic ΔEint = W

. . . constant volume ΔEint = Q

. . . free expansion ΔEint = 0

. . . closed cycle Q + W = 0

work, constant volume W = 0

work, constant pressure W = pΔV

translational energy Ek,avg = kTf / 2

internal energy Eint = NkTf / 2

mean speed

mode speed

root mean square speed

mean free path ?

Maxwell–Boltzmann distribution

molecular specific heat at a constant volume CV = Q / (NΔT)

? ΔEint = NCVΔT

molecular specific heat at a constant pressure Cp = Q / (NΔT)

? W = pΔV = NkΔT

? k = Cp − CV

adiabatic expansion pVγ = constant

adiabatic expansion TVγ − 1 = constant

multiplicity of configurations W = N! / n1!n2!

microstate in one half of the box n1,n2

Boltzmann's entropy equation S = klnW

irreversibility

entropy

entropy change

entropy change ΔS = kNln(Vf / Vi) + NCVln(Tf / Ti)

entropic force f = − TdS / dx

engine efficiency ε = | W | / | QH |

Carnot engine efficiency εc = ( | QH | − | QL | ) / | QH | = (TH − TL) / TH

refrigeration performance K = | QL | / | W |

Carnot refrigeration performance KC = | QL | / ( | QH | − | QL | ) = TL / (TH − TL)

[edit]Waves

torsion constant κ=−τ/θ

phasor

node

antinode
period T

amplitude xm

decibel dB

frequency f = 1 / T = ω / (2π)

angular frequency ω = 2πf = 2π / T

phase angle φ

phase (ωt + φ)

damping force fd = − bv

phase ky − ωt

wavenumber k

phase constant φ

linear density μ

harmonic number n

harmonic series f = v / λ = nv / (2L)

wavelength λ = k / (2π)

bulk modulus B = Δp / (ΔV / V)

path length difference ΔL

resonance ωd = ω

phase difference φ = 2πΔL / λ

fully constructive interference ΔL / λ = n

fully destructive interference ΔL / λ = n + 0.5

sound intensity

sound power source Ps

sound intensity over distance I = Ps / (4πr2)

sound intensity standard reference I0

sound level Β = (10dB)log(I / I0)

pipe, two open ends f = v / λ = nv / (2L)

pipe, one open end f = v / λ = nv / (4L) for n odd

beats s(t) = [2smcosω't]cosωt

beat frequency fbeat = f1 − f2

Doppler effect f' = f(v + − vD) / (v + − vS)

sonic boom angle sinθ = v / vs

average wave power

pressure amplitude Δpm = (vρω)xm

wave equation

wave superposition x'(y,t) = x1(y,t) + x2(y,t)

wave speed v = ω / k = λ / T = λf

speed of sound

wave speed on a stretched string

angular frequency of an angular simple harmonic

oscillator

angular frequency of a low amplitude simple pendulum

angular frequency of a low amplitude physical pendulum

angular frequency of a linear simple harmonic oscillator

angular frequency of a linear damped harmonic oscillator

wave displacement x(t) = xmcos(ωt + φ)

wave displacement when damped x(t) = xmcos(ω't + φ)(e − bt / 2m)

wave velocity v(t) = xmsin(ωt + φ)( − ω)

wave acceleration a(t) = xmcos(ωt + φ)( − ω2)

transverse wave x(y,t) = xmsin(ky − ωt)

wave traveling backwards x(y,t) = xmsin(ky + ωt)

resultant wave x'(y,t) = xmsin(ky − ωt + φ / 2)(2cosφ / 2)

standing wave x'(y,t) = cos(ωt)(2ysinky)

sound displacement function x(y,t) = xmcos(ky − ωt)

sound pressure-variation function Δp(y,t) = sin(ky − ωt)Δpm

potential harmonic energy

kinetic harmonic energy

total harmonic energy

damped mechanical energy

[edit]Gravitation

gravitational constant G (force)(distance/mass)^2

gravitational force fG = Gm1m2 / r2

superposition applies

gravitational acceleration ag = Gm / r2

free fall acceleration af = ag − ω2R

shell theorem for gravitation

potential energy from gravity

escape speed

Kepler's law 1 planets move in an ellipse, with the star at a focus

Kepler's law 2 A'' = 0

Kepler's law 3 T2 = (4π2 / Gm)r3

orbital energy E = − Gm1m2 / a2

standard gravity

weight, points toward the center of

gravity
fg = − fn = mg

path independence

Einstein field equations

[edit]Fluid dynamics

density ρ = Δm / ΔV

pressure p = ΔF / ΔA

pressure difference Δp = ρgΔy

pressure at depth p = p0 + ρgh

barometer versus manometer
Pascal's principle

Archimedes' Principle

buoyant force Fb = mfg

gravitational
force when floating
Fg = Fb

apparent weight weightapp = weight − Fb

ideal fluid

equation of continuity RV = Av = constant

Bernoulli's equation p + ρv2 / 2 + ρgy = constant

[edit]Electromagnetism

Lorentz force

Gauss' law

Gauss' law for magnetic fields

Faraday's law of induction

Ampere-maxwell law

elementary charge e

electric charge q = ne

conservation of charge Δq = 0

linear charge density λ = q / l1

surface charge density σ = q / l2

volume charge density ρ = q / l3

electric constant ε0 (time)^2(charge)^2/(mass)(volume)

magnetic constant μ0 (force)(time)^2/(charge)^2

Coulomb's law F = q1q2 / (4πε0)r2

electric field

electric field lines end at a negative charge

Gaussian surface

flux notation implies a normal unit vector

electric flux

magnetic flux

magnetic flux given assumptions ΦB = BA

dielectric constant
dielectric

Gauss' law with dialectric

Biot-Savart law

Lenz's law induced current always opposes its cause

inductance (with respect to time)

inductance from coils L = NΦB / i

inductance of a solenoid L / l = μ0n2A

displacement current id = ε0dΦE / dt

displacement vector

electric dipole moment

electric dipole torque

electric dipole potential energy

magnetic dipole moment of a coil, magnitude only μ = iNA

magnetic dipole moment torque

magnetic dipole moment potential energy

electric field accelerating a charged mass a = qE / m

electric field of a charged point

electric field of a dipole moment E = p / ε02πz3

electric field of a charged line E = λ / ε02πr

electric field of a charged ring E = qz / ε04π(z2 + R2)3 / 2

electric field of a charged conducting surface E = σ / ε0

electric field of a charged non-conducting surface E = σ / ε02

electric field of a charged disk

electric field outside spherical shell r>=R E = q / ε04πr2

electric field inside spherical shell r<R E = 0

electric field of uniform charge r<=R E = qr / ε04πR3

electric field energy density u = ε0E2 / 2

electric potential versus electric potential energy (energy)/(charge) versus (energy)

electric potential energy

electric potential

electric potential difference ΔV = − W / q = ΔU / q

electric potential from electric field

electric field from electric potential

electric potential of a charged point V = q / ε04πr

electric potential of a set of charged points V = ΣVi = (1 / ε04π)Σqi / ri

electric potential of a dipole V = pcosθ / ε04πr2

electric potential of continuous charge

electric potential energy of a pair of charged

points
Vq2 = U = W = q1q2 / ε04πr

capacitance C = q / V (charge)^2/(energy)

capacitance of parallel plates C = ε0A / d

capacitance of a cylinder C = ε02πL / ln(b / a)

capacitance of a sphere C = ε04πba / (b − a)

capacitance of an isolated sphere C = ε04πR

capacitors in parallel

capacitors in series

capacitor potential energy U = q2 / C2 = CV2 / 2

current i = dq / dt

drift speed
current density

current density magnitude J = i / A

current density to get current

resistance R = V / i

resistivity

resistivity temperature coefficient α

resistivity across temperature ρ − ρ0 = ρ0α(T − T0)

resistivity and resistance RA = ρL

electrical conductivity

resistor power dissipation P = i2R = V2 / R

internal resistance

resistors in series

resistors in parallel

Kirchoff's current law iin = iout

Ohm's law V = iR

emf
emf rules loop, resistance, emf

electrical power P = iV

emf power

electric potential difference across a real battery

magnetic field force on a moving charge

magnetic field force on a current

Hall effect n = Bi / Vle

circulating charged particle | q | vB = mv2 / r

cyclotron resonance condition f = fosc

magnetic field of a line B = μ0i / 2πR

magnetic field of a ray B = μ0i / 4πR

magnetic field at the center of a circular arc B = μ0iφ / 4πR

magnetic field of a solenoid B = μ0in

magnetic field of a toroid B = μ0iN / 2πr

magnetic field of a current carrying coil

self induction of emf

magnetic energy UB = Li2 / 2

magnetic energy density uB = B2 / 2μ0

mutual induction

transformation of voltage VsNp = VpNs

transformation of current IsNs = IpNp

transformation of reistance Req = (Np / Ns)2R

induced magnetic field inside a circular capacitor B = (μ0id / 2πR2)r

induced magnetic field outside a circular capacitor B = μ0id / 2πrr

RC circuit ODE with respect to time

RC circuit capacitive time constant τ = RC

RC circuit charging a capacitor

RL circuit ODE with respect to time

RL circuit time constant τL = L / R

RL circuit rise of current

RL circuit decay of current

LC circuit ODE with respect to time

LC circuit

LC circuit charge q = Qcos(ωt + φ)
LC circuit current i = − ωQsin(ωt + φ)

LC circuit electrical potential energy UE = q2 / 2C = Q2cos2(ωt + φ) / 2C

LC circuit magnetic potential energy UB = Q2sin2(ωt + φ) / 2C

RLC circuit ODE with respect to time

RLC circuit charge q = QeT − Rt / 2Lcos(ω't + φ)

resistive load VR = IRR

capacitive load VC = ICXC

inductive load VL = ILXL

resistive reactance XR = ?

capacitive reactance XC = 1 / ωdC

inductive reactance XL = ωdL

phase constant tanφ = XL − XC / R

electromagnetic resonance

AC current

AC voltage

AC emf
AC power

[edit]Light

electric light component E = Emsin(kx − ωt)

magnetic light component B = Bmsin(kx − ωt)

speed of light

Poynting vector

Poynting vector magnitude S = EB / μ0 = E2 / cμ0

rms electric field of light

light intensity

light intensity at the sphere I = Ps / 4πr2

radiation momentum with total absorption (inelastic) Δp = ΔU / c

radiation momentum with total reflection (elastic) Δp = 2ΔU / c

radiation pressure with total absorption (inelastic) pr = I / c

radiation pressure with total reflection (elastic) pr = 2I / c

intensity from polarizing unpolarized light I = I0 / 2

intensity from polarizing polarized light I = I0cos2θ

index of refraction of substance f nf = c / vf

angle of reflection θ1 = θ2

angle of refraction n1sinθ1 = n2sinθ2

angle of total reflection θc = sin − 1n2 / n1

angle of total polarisation θB = tan − 1n2 / n1

image distance in a plane mirror di = − do

image distance in a spherical mirror n1 / do + n2 / di = (n2 − n1) / r

spherical mirror focal length f = r / 2

spherical mirror 1 / do + 1 / di = 1 / f

lateral magnification m and h negative when upside

down
m = hi / ho = − di / do

lens focal length 1 / f = 1 / do + 1 / di

lens focal length from refraction indexes 1 / f = (nlens / nmed − 1)(1 / r1 − 1 / r2)

path length difference ΔL = dsinθ

double slit minima dsinθ = (N + 1 / 2)λ

double slit maxima dsinθ = Nλ

double-slit interference intensity I = 4I0cos2(πdsinθ / λ)

thin film in air minima (N + 0 / 2)λ / n2

thin film in air maxima 2L = (N + 1 / 2)λ / n2

single-slit minima asinθ = Nλ

single-slit intensity I(θ) = I0(sinα / α)2

double slit intensity I(θ) = I0(cos2Β)(sinα / α)2

... α = πasinθ / λ

circular aperture first minimum sinθ = 1.22λ / d

Rayleigh's criterion θR = 1.22λ / d

diffraction grating maxima lines dsinθ = Nλ

diffraction grating half-width Δθhw = λ / Ndcosθ

diffraction grating dispersion D = N / dcosθ

diffraction grating resolving power R = Nn

diffraction grating lattice distance d = Nλ / 2sinθ

[edit]Special Relativity

Lorentz factor

Lorentz transformation t' = γ(t − xv / c2)

... x' = γ(x − vt)

... y' = y

... z' = z

time dilation Δt = γΔt0

length contraction L = L0 / γ

relativistic Doppler
effect

Doppler shift v = | Δλ | c / λ0

momentum

rest energy E0 = mc2

total energy

Energy Removed Q = − Δmc2

kinetic energy K = E − mc2 = γmc2 − mc2 = mc2(γ − 1)

[edit]Particle Physics

standard model see 4x4 chart of particles

Planck's constant h, in energy/frequency

Reduced Planck's constant , in energy/frequency

Planck–Einstein equation E = hf

threshold frequency f0

work function Φ = hf0

photoelectric kinetic energy Kmax = hf − Φ

photon momentum p = hf / c = h / λ

de Broglie wavelength λ = h / p

Schrodinger's equation

Schrodinger's equation one
dimensional motion
d2ψ / dx2 + 8π2m[E − U(x)]ψ / h2 = 0

Schrodinger's equation free particle d2ψ / dx2 + k2ψ = 0

Heisenberg's uncertainty principle

infinite potential well En = (hn / 2L)2 / 2m

wavefunction of a trapped electron ψn(x) = Asin(nπx / L), for positive int n

wavefunction probability density

normalization

hydrogen atom orbital energy , for positive int n

hydrogen atom spectrum

hydrogen atom radial probability

density
P(r) = 4r2 / a3e2r / a

spin projection quantum number

orbital magnetic dipole moment

orbital magnetic dipole
moment components

spin magnetic dipole moment

orbital magnetic dipole moment

spin magnetic dipole

moment potential

orbital magnetic dipole

moment potential

Bohr magneton

angular momentum components

spin angular momentum magnitude

cutoff wavelength λmin = hc / K0

density of states

occupancy probability

Fermi energy

mass number A = Z + N

nuclear radius

mass excess Δ = M − A

radioactive decay N = N0e − λt

Hubble constant H = 71.0km / s

Hubble's law v = Hr

conservation of lepton number

conservation of baryon number

conservation of strangeness

eightfold way

weak force

strong force

Noether's theorem

Electroweak interaction

Quantum
electrodynam
ics :
[edit]The Postulates of Quantum Mechanics

Postulate 1: State of a system A system is completely specified at any one time by a Hilbert space vector.
Postulate 2: Observables of a
A measurable quantity corresponds to an operator with eigenvectors spanning the space.
system

Postulate 3: Observation of a Measuring a system applies the observable's operator to the system and the
system system collapses into the observed eigenvector.

Postulate 4: Probabilistic result of

The probability of observing an eigenvector is derived from the square of its wavefunction.
measurement

Postulate 5: Time evolution of a

The way the wavefunction evolves over time is determined by Shrodinger's equation.
system

[edit]See also