MDCAT Physics Formulas and Units Cheat-Sheet (Quick Revision)

Physics is 36 of the 180 MDCAT MCQs (20%), and questions often test units and what each variable means. Use this cheat-sheet for quick revision, then practise with MCQs. It follows the standard FSc Physics topics.

Preparing for MDCAT? Practise explanation-backed MCQs in the MDCAT QBank. Your first 20 questions are free.

Mechanics

Quantity	Formula	SI unit
Velocity from acceleration	v = u + at	m/s
Displacement	s = ut + ½at²	m
Newton's second law	F = ma	newton (N)
Work	W = Fd cosθ	joule (J)
Kinetic energy	KE = ½mv²	J
Gravitational PE	PE = mgh	J
Power	P = W/t	watt (W)
Centripetal force	F = mv²/r	N
Momentum	p = mv	kg m/s
Pressure	P = F/A	pascal (Pa)

Waves and Sound

Quantity	Formula	SI unit
Wave speed	v = fλ	m/s
Frequency and period	f = 1/T	hertz (Hz)
Simple pendulum period	T = 2π√(L/g)	s
Mass-spring period	T = 2π√(m/k)	s

Electricity

Quantity	Formula	SI unit
Ohm's law	V = IR	volt (V)
Resistance of a wire	R = ρL/A	ohm (Ω)
Electric power	P = VI	W
Coulomb's law	F = kq₁q₂/r²	N
Capacitance	C = Q/V	farad (F)
Energy in a capacitor	E = ½CV²	J

Magnetism and Induction

Quantity	Formula	SI unit
Force on a moving charge	F = qvB sinθ	N
Force on a current-carrying wire	F = BIL sinθ	N
Magnetic flux	Φ = BA cosθ	weber (Wb)
Faraday's law	ε = −NΔΦ/Δt	V
Magnetic flux density	B	tesla (T) = Wb/m²

Optics and Modern Physics

Quantity	Formula	Note
Lens/mirror equation	1/f = 1/p + 1/q	f, p, q in metres or cm consistently
Refractive index	n = c/v	no unit
Photon energy	E = hf	J
Photoelectric effect	KE(max) = hf − φ	φ is the work function
Mass-energy	E = mc²	J
Radioactive decay	N = N₀(½)^(t/T½)	T½ is the half-life

How to Use the Sheet

• For each formula, say what every symbol means and its unit.
• Check units before calculating; many MCQs can be answered by unit analysis.
• Then solve MCQs on each topic; see MDCAT Physics MCQs and the syllabus breakdown.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many physics questions are in MDCAT?

36 of the 180 MCQs (20%).

Which physics topics repeat most?

Electromagnetism, optics, modern physics and mechanics are the usual high-yield areas, with frequent unit-based questions.

Do I need to memorise all formulas?

Learn the core ones above with their units, and understand how they connect rather than memorising in isolation.

Your Next Step

Practise physics MCQs. The MDCAT QBank has Physics questions with step-by-step explanations. Open the QBank; your first 20 questions are free.