GRE Formula Sheet

Humberto Gilmer July 9, 2013

Contents

Classical Mechanics
dp dt

Newtons Second Law F = Kinematic equations v = v0 + at

1 at x = x0 + vt + 2

= ma

Work and energy F = V W = E =

C

F dr

F dr = 0

Gravitation and Keplers laws

m Newtons law of gravitation: F = G |rM r r |2

centripetal force: F = Center of mass rCM =

i

mv 2 r r

= mr 2 r

mi ri i mi m1 m2 M

reduced mass: = Keplers laws

1. The orbit of every planet is an ellipse with the Sun at one of the two foci 2. A line joining a planet and the Sun sweeps out equal areas in equal times 3. The square of the orbital period of a planet is proportional to the cube of the semi-major axis of its orbit r=
p 1+ cos

p=

b2 a

a=

p 1

b=

p 1

Rigid body motion Angular momentum (individual particles): L = Torque: =

dL dt i ri

pi

i ri

Fi

Angular momentum (extended bodies along a principal axis): L = I (Scalar) Moment of inertia: I =
V

r2 dM

Parallel axis theorem: I = ICM +M r2 , where r is the displacement from CoM to arbitrary ax Perpendicular axis theorem: For an axis perpendicular to a thin plate, Iz = Ix + Iy Some common moments of inertia, mass = M: hollow hoop/cylinder, radius R: I = M R2
1 M R2 solid disc/cylinder, radius R: I = 2 2 hollow sphere, radius R: I = 3 M R2 3 solid sphere, radius R: I = 5 M R2

thin rod/door, axis through center:

thin rod/door, axis through end: 1 ML 3 E=1 I 2 2 Analytical mechanics Action integral: S = L(t, x, x )dt
L x

1 M L2 12 2

Euler-Lagrange equation:

d dt

L x

=0

Hamiltonian: H (t, q, p) = pq (q, p) L(t, q, p(q, q, p)) Hamiltons equations:

H q

= p,

H p

=q

For an arbitrary vector Q in frames S and S where S is rotating relative to S at a rate Q dQ = d +Q dt dt

S S

Special relativity (Note: (+, , , ) metric employed throughout) = 1 v2 , S represents a frame moving relative to an observer
1
c2

Time dilation: t = t Length contraction: l =

l

Lorentz transformations (v = v x ) t = (t y =y z =z 4-vectors Position 4-vector: r = (ct, x, y, z ) Velocity 4-vector: v = (c, vx , vy , vz ) Energy-momentum 4-vector: E = Conservation laws Proper length: r r = l 2 = c2 t2 x2 y 2 z 2
2 2 2 Velocity: v v = c2 = c2 vx vy vz E , px , py , pz c vx ) c2

x = (x vt)

Energy-momentum: E E = Velocity transformations ux = uy = uz =

ux v v 1 ux 2
c

E2 c2

p2 = mc2

uy
v (1 ux 2 ) c v (1 ux 2 ) c

uz

Electrodynamics

Gausss law: E = 0 Gausss law for magnetism: B = 0 Amp` ere-Maxwell law: B = 0 J +

B Faradays law: E = t +J =0 Continuity equation: t

E 0 t

Quantum mechanics
2

Schrodinger equation: 2m 2 V (r) = i

4 5

Thermodynamics/Statistical mechanics Optics