Complete Physics Theory & Formula Guide for Pilot Exams
Basic Terms & Units
Mass (m): The amount of matter in an object. Unit: kilogram (kg).
Weight (W): The force due to gravity on an object. Formula: W = m × g. Unit: Newton
(N).
Force (F): A push or pull acting on an object. Unit: Newton (N).
Distance (d or s): How far an object travels. Unit: meter (m).
Displacement (s): The shortest straight-line distance between start and end points, with
direction.
Speed (v): How fast an object moves, without considering direction. Formula: v = d / t.
Velocity (v): Speed with direction. Formula: v = displacement / time.
Acceleration (a): Rate of change of velocity. Formula: a = (v - u) / t.
Retardation: Negative acceleration, when velocity decreases.
Time (t): Duration of motion. Unit: seconds (s).
Gravity (g): Acceleration due to Earth’s gravity. g ≈ 9.8 m/s² (or 10 m/s² for easy
calculation).
Equations of Motion
u: Initial velocity (velocity at the start).
v: Final velocity (velocity at the end).
t: Time taken for motion.
s: Displacement (distance in a specific direction).
a: Acceleration.
Formulas:
1) v = u + at
2) s = ut + ½at²
3) v² = u² + 2as
Forces & Laws
Newton’s First Law (Law of Inertia): An object remains at rest or in uniform motion
unless acted on by a force.
Newton’s Second Law: Force = mass × acceleration (F = m × a).
Newton’s Third Law: For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.
Friction: A force that opposes motion. Depends on surface roughness.
Tension (T): Force transmitted through a rope, string, or cable.
Moment (Torque): Turning effect of a force. Formula: Moment = Force × perpendicular
distance.
Work, Energy, Power
Work (W): When a force moves an object through a distance. Formula: W = F × d ×
cosθ.
Kinetic Energy (KE): Energy of motion. Formula: KE = ½mv².
Potential Energy (PE): Stored energy due to position. Formula: PE = mgh.
Power (P): Rate of doing work. Formula: P = W / t.
Fluids
Pressure (P): Force per unit area. Formula: P = F / A. Unit: Pascal (Pa).
Density (ρ): Mass per unit volume. Formula: ρ = m / V. Unit: kg/m³.
Buoyant Force (Upthrust): Upward force exerted by fluid on an immersed object.
Archimedes’ Principle: Buoyant force = Weight of displaced fluid.
Heat & Matter
Heat: Energy transferred due to temperature difference.
Temperature: Measure of average kinetic energy of molecules.
States of Matter:
• Solid: Fixed shape & volume.
• Liquid: Fixed volume, no fixed shape.
• Gas: No fixed shape or volume.
• Plasma: High-energy ionized gas.
Conversions: K = °C + 273, °F = (9/5 × °C) + 32.
Gas Laws
Boyle’s Law: At constant temperature, P × V = constant.
Charles’s Law: At constant pressure, V / T = constant.
Dalton’s Law: Total pressure of a gas mixture = sum of partial pressures.
Electricity & Magnetism
Charge (Q): Property of matter. Unit: Coulomb (C).
Current (I): Flow of electric charge. Formula: I = Q / t. Unit: Ampere (A).
Voltage (V): Potential difference. Formula: V = W / Q. Unit: Volt (V).
Resistance (R): Opposition to current. Formula: R = V / I. Unit: Ohm (Ω).
Ohm’s Law: V = I × R.
Series circuit: R_total = R■ + R■ + …
Parallel circuit: 1/R_total = 1/R■ + 1/R■ + …
Magnetism: Magnetic field lines show direction of force. Permanent magnets retain
magnetism.
Graphs
Force-Extension Graph (Hooke’s Law):
• Straight line part: Obeys Hooke’s Law (F ∝ extension).
• Elastic limit: Point after which material is permanently deformed.
Quick Notes & Abbreviations
m = mass (kg)
F = force (N)
W = weight (N)
d or s = distance/displacement (m)
v = velocity (m/s)
u = initial velocity (m/s)
a = acceleration (m/s²)
t = time (s)
g = gravity (9.8 or 10 m/s²)
ρ = density (kg/m³)
P = pressure (Pa)
V = volume (m³ or L)
KE = kinetic energy (J)
PE = potential energy (J)
I = current (A)
R = resistance (Ω)
V = voltage (V)
