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Science Formula Library

Reference essential physics, chemistry, and laboratory formulas, understand every variable, and open a calculator to check your work.

Explore 85+ science formulas across Physics, Chemistry, and Laboratory topics.

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Choose the equation that matches the situation, use one consistent unit system, substitute known quantities, and verify that the answer has the expected dimensions. Each entry links to a working calculator for a faster independent check.

Physics reference

Physics Formulas

Explore physics formulas for motion, forces, energy, electricity, and mechanics with equations, variables, and calculator tools.

49 equations

Physics

Mechanical Work

W = Fd cos θ

Calculates work when force acts through a displacement.

Variables
W = work; F = force; d = displacement; θ = angle

Physics

Specific Heat

Q = m × c × ΔT

Calculates heat transferred during a temperature change.

Variables
Q = heat; m = mass; c = specific heat capacity; ΔT = temperature change

Physics

Average Speed Formula

Average Speed = Total Distance / Total Time

Calculates average speed from total distance and total time.

Variables
distance = total distance; time = total time

Physics

Acceleration Formula

a = Δv / t

Calculates acceleration from change in velocity over time.

Variables
a = acceleration; Δv = change in velocity; t = time

Physics

Average Velocity Formula

v_avg = Δx / Δt

Calculates average velocity using displacement divided by elapsed time.

Variables
v_avg = average velocity; Δx = displacement; Δt = change in time

Physics

Displacement Formula

Δx = x₂ - x₁

Calculates the change in position between two points.

Variables
Δx = displacement; x₂ = final position; x₁ = initial position

Physics

Final Velocity Formula

v = u + at

Calculates final velocity using initial velocity, acceleration, and time.

Variables
v = final velocity; u = initial velocity; a = acceleration; t = time

Physics

Time Formula

t = (v - u) / a

Calculates time taken when velocity changes under constant acceleration.

Variables
t = time; v = final velocity; u = initial velocity; a = acceleration

Physics

Kinematic Equations Formula

v² = u² + 2as

Relates velocity, acceleration, and displacement for motion with constant acceleration.

Variables
v = final velocity; u = initial velocity; a = acceleration; s = displacement

Physics

Projectile Motion Formula

x = v₀t cos(θ), y = v₀t sin(θ) - ½gt²

Describes the horizontal and vertical motion of an object launched at an angle.

Variables
v₀ = initial velocity; t = time; θ = launch angle; g = gravitational acceleration

Physics

Free Fall Formula

d = ½gt²

Calculates distance traveled by an object falling under gravity.

Variables
d = distance; g = gravitational acceleration; t = time

Physics

Centripetal Acceleration Formula

aᶜ = v² / r

Calculates acceleration toward the center of circular motion.

Variables
aᶜ = centripetal acceleration; v = velocity; r = radius

Physics

Centripetal Force Formula

Fᶜ = mv² / r

Calculates the force required to keep an object moving in a circular path.

Variables
Fᶜ = centripetal force; m = mass; v = velocity; r = radius

Physics

Angular Velocity Formula

ω = θ / t

Calculates angular velocity from angular displacement over time.

Variables
ω = angular velocity; θ = angular displacement; t = time

Physics

Angular Frequency Formula

ω = 2πf

Calculates angular frequency from rotational frequency in circular motion.

Variables
ω = angular frequency; f = rotational frequency

Physics

Rotational Frequency Formula

f = ω / 2π

Calculates rotational frequency from angular frequency in circular motion.

Variables
f = rotational frequency; ω = angular frequency

Physics

RPM Formula

RPM = 60f

Calculates revolutions per minute from rotational frequency.

Variables
RPM = revolutions per minute; f = rotational frequency

Physics

Kinetic Energy Formula

KE = ½mv²

Calculates the energy of an object due to its motion.

Variables
KE = kinetic energy; m = mass; v = velocity

Physics

Gravitational Potential Energy Formula

PE = mgh

Calculates stored energy due to an object's height in a gravitational field.

Variables
PE = potential energy; m = mass; g = gravitational acceleration; h = height

Physics

Elastic Potential Energy Formula

PE = ½kx²

Calculates energy stored in a stretched or compressed elastic object.

Variables
PE = elastic potential energy; k = spring constant; x = displacement

Physics

Work Formula

W = Fd cos(θ)

Calculates work done by a force acting over a displacement.

Variables
W = work; F = force; d = displacement; θ = angle between force and motion

Physics

Mechanical Energy Formula

ME = KE + PE

Calculates total mechanical energy as the sum of kinetic and potential energy.

Variables
ME = mechanical energy; KE = kinetic energy; PE = potential energy

Physics

Conservation of Energy Formula

E_total = KE + PE

States that total energy remains constant while energy changes between forms.

Variables
E_total = total energy; KE = kinetic energy; PE = potential energy

Physics

Hooke's Law Formula

F = -kx

Calculates the restoring force produced by an elastic spring.

Variables
F = spring force; k = spring constant; x = displacement

Physics

Spring Force Formula

F = kx

Calculates the force required to stretch or compress a spring.

Variables
F = force; k = spring constant; x = displacement

Physics

Ohm's Law Formula

V = IR

Relates voltage, current, and resistance in an electrical circuit.

Variables
V = voltage; I = current; R = resistance

Physics

Coulomb's Law Formula

F = kq₁q₂ / r²

Calculates the electrostatic force between two charged objects.

Variables
F = electric force; k = Coulomb constant; q₁ = first charge; q₂ = second charge; r = distance between charges

Physics

Electric Field Formula

E = F / q

Calculates electric field strength from force and charge.

Variables
E = electric field; F = electric force; q = charge

Physics

Electric Potential Formula

V = W / q

Calculates electric potential from work done per unit charge.

Variables
V = electric potential; W = work done; q = charge

Physics

Voltage Divider Formula

Vout = Vin × R₂ / (R₁ + R₂)

Calculates output voltage across a resistor in a voltage divider circuit.

Variables
Vout = output voltage; Vin = input voltage; R₁ = first resistance; R₂ = second resistance

Physics

Current Divider Formula

I₁ = Itotal × R₂ / (R₁ + R₂)

Calculates current distribution between parallel resistors.

Variables
I₁ = branch current; Itotal = total current; R₁ = first resistance; R₂ = second resistance

Physics

Capacitor Energy Formula

E = ½CV²

Calculates the energy stored in a capacitor from capacitance and voltage.

Variables
E = stored energy; C = capacitance; V = voltage

Physics

Inductance Formula

L = Φ / I

Relates magnetic flux linkage to current in an inductor.

Variables
L = inductance; Φ = magnetic flux linkage; I = current

Physics

Capacitive Reactance Formula

Xc = 1 / (2πfC)

Calculates opposition to alternating current caused by a capacitor.

Variables
Xc = capacitive reactance; f = frequency; C = capacitance

Physics

Inductive Reactance Formula

Xl = 2πfL

Calculates opposition to alternating current caused by an inductor.

Variables
Xl = inductive reactance; f = frequency; L = inductance

Chemistry reference

Chemistry Formulas

Explore chemistry formulas for reactions, solutions, moles, concentrations, and laboratory calculations with practical tools.

20 equations

Chemistry

Molarity

M = n ÷ V

Expresses solution concentration as moles per liter.

Variables
M = molarity; n = moles of solute; V = solution volume in liters

Chemistry

Molality

m = n ÷ kg solvent

Expresses concentration as moles per kilogram of solvent.

Variables
m = molality; n = moles of solute; kg solvent = solvent mass

Chemistry

Solution Dilution

C₁V₁ = C₂V₂

Relates concentration and volume before and after dilution.

Variables
C = concentration; V = volume; 1 = initial; 2 = final

Chemistry

Ideal Gas Law

PV = nRT

Relates pressure, volume, amount, and temperature of an ideal gas.

Variables
P = pressure; V = volume; n = moles; R = gas constant; T = temperature

Chemistry

pH

pH = −log₁₀[H⁺]

Calculates acidity from the hydrogen ion concentration.

Variables
pH = acidity scale value; [H⁺] = hydrogen ion concentration

Chemistry

Percent Yield

% yield = actual ÷ theoretical × 100

Compares the measured product yield with the theoretical yield.

Variables
actual = measured yield; theoretical = predicted maximum yield

Chemistry

Mole Fraction

Xᵢ = nᵢ ÷ nₜₒₜₐₗ

Finds a component's fraction of the total amount in a mixture.

Variables
Xᵢ = mole fraction; nᵢ = component moles; nₜₒₜₐₗ = total moles

Chemistry

Molarity Formula

M = n / V

Calculates solution concentration using moles of solute divided by solution volume.

Variables
M = molarity; n = moles of solute; V = volume of solution

Chemistry

Molality Formula

m = n / kg

Calculates solution concentration using moles of solute per kilogram of solvent.

Variables
m = molality; n = moles of solute; kg = kilograms of solvent

Chemistry

Mole Fraction Formula

X = n₁ / n_total

Calculates the ratio of component moles to total moles in a mixture.

Variables
X = mole fraction; n₁ = moles of component; n_total = total moles

Chemistry

Dilution Formula

M₁V₁ = M₂V₂

Calculates concentration changes when a solution is diluted.

Variables
M₁ = initial concentration; V₁ = initial volume; M₂ = final concentration; V₂ = final volume

Chemistry

Stoichiometry Formula

n = m / M

Relates mass, moles, and molar mass for chemical calculations.

Variables
n = number of moles; m = mass; M = molar mass

Chemistry

Molecular Weight Formula

MW = Σ atomic masses

Calculates molecular weight by adding the atomic masses of all atoms in a compound.

Variables
MW = molecular weight; atomic masses = masses of atoms

Chemistry

Mass to Moles Formula

n = m / M

Converts between mass and amount of substance using molar mass.

Variables
n = moles; m = mass; M = molar mass

Chemistry

Percent Yield Formula

% Yield = (Actual Yield / Theoretical Yield) × 100

Calculates reaction efficiency by comparing actual and theoretical product amounts.

Variables
Actual Yield = measured product; Theoretical Yield = expected product

Chemistry

pH Formula

pH = -log[H⁺]

Calculates the acidity of a solution using hydrogen ion concentration.

Variables
pH = acidity measure; [H⁺] = hydrogen ion concentration

Chemistry

pOH Formula

pOH = -log[OH⁻]

Calculates the basicity of a solution using hydroxide ion concentration.

Variables
pOH = basicity measure; [OH⁻] = hydroxide ion concentration

Chemistry

Ideal Gas Law Formula

PV = nRT

Relates pressure, volume, temperature, and amount of gas.

Variables
P = pressure; V = volume; n = moles; R = gas constant; T = temperature

Chemistry

Gas Density Formula

ρ = PM / RT

Calculates gas density using pressure, molar mass, temperature, and the gas constant.

Variables
ρ = gas density; P = pressure; M = molar mass; R = gas constant; T = temperature

Laboratory reference

Laboratory Formulas

Explore laboratory formulas for measurements, uncertainty, statistics, and experimental data analysis.

16 equations

Laboratory

Percent Error

% error = |experimental − accepted| ÷ |accepted| × 100

Compares an experimental result with an accepted reference value.

Variables
experimental = measured value; accepted = reference value

Laboratory

Percent Difference

% difference = |A − B| ÷ ((|A| + |B|) ÷ 2) × 100

Compares two experimental values when neither is an accepted value.

Variables
A = first value; B = second value

Laboratory

Arithmetic Mean

x̄ = Σx ÷ n

Calculates the average of a set of observations.

Variables
x̄ = mean; Σx = sum of values; n = number of values

Laboratory

Sample Standard Deviation

s = √(Σ(xᵢ − x̄)² ÷ (n − 1))

Measures the spread of sample observations around their mean.

Variables
s = sample standard deviation; xᵢ = each value; x̄ = sample mean; n = sample size

Laboratory

Coefficient of Variation

CV = s ÷ x̄ × 100

Expresses variability relative to the mean as a percentage.

Variables
CV = coefficient of variation; s = standard deviation; x̄ = mean

Laboratory

Relative Uncertainty

relative uncertainty = absolute uncertainty ÷ |measured value|

Shows measurement uncertainty relative to the measured magnitude.

Variables
absolute uncertainty = uncertainty in original units; measured value = reported result

Laboratory

Average Rate of Change

rate = (y₂ − y₁) ÷ (x₂ − x₁)

Calculates the average change in one variable per unit change in another.

Variables
y = dependent variable; x = independent variable

Laboratory

Linear Regression

y = mx + b

Models a straight-line relationship between two variables.

Variables
m = slope; b = y-intercept; x = input; y = predicted output

Laboratory

Mean Formula

x̄ = Σx / n

Calculates the average value of a set of experimental measurements.

Variables
x̄ = mean; Σx = sum of values; n = number of values

Laboratory

Standard Deviation Formula

σ = √(Σ(x - μ)² / N)

Measures the spread and variability of experimental data.

Variables
σ = standard deviation; x = individual value; μ = mean; N = number of values

Laboratory

Percent Error Formula

% Error = |Experimental - Accepted| / Accepted × 100

Measures the difference between an experimental value and an accepted value.

Variables
Experimental = measured value; Accepted = reference value

Laboratory

Percent Difference Formula

% Difference = |A - B| / ((A + B) / 2) × 100

Compares two experimental values without a reference value.

Variables
A = first value; B = second value

Laboratory

Measurement Uncertainty Formula

U = ± value

Represents the range of possible variation in a scientific measurement.

Variables
U = uncertainty; measured value = experimental measurement

Laboratory

Coefficient of Variation Formula

CV = (σ / μ) × 100

Measures relative variability of data compared with its mean.

Variables
CV = coefficient of variation; σ = standard deviation; μ = mean

Laboratory

Significant Figures Rules

Precision depends on reported digits

Determines the correct number of significant figures in scientific measurements and calculations.

Variables
significant digits = meaningful measurement digits

Formula help

Frequently Asked Questions

How should I use a science formula?

Identify the known values, convert them to compatible units, substitute them into the equation, and keep extra digits until the final rounding step.

Can I rearrange these formulas to solve for another variable?

Yes. Apply the same inverse operation to both sides of the equation until the unknown variable is isolated, then check that the resulting units make sense.

Why can a calculator result differ from my manual answer?

Differences usually come from unit conversion, rounding too early, sign conventions, or using a formula outside its assumptions.

Do these formulas replace experimental judgment?

No. A formula is a model. Always consider measurement uncertainty, significant figures, experimental conditions, and the assumptions behind the equation.