MCAT Physics Syllabus

Physics syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Physics in MCAT, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Mechanics

   5 topics

   • Kinematics
     • Motion in One Dimension
     • Motion in Two Dimensions
   • Newton's Laws of Motion
     • Forces and Free Body Diagrams
     • Applications of Newton's Laws
     • Static Equilibrium and Dynamics
   • Work, Energy, and Power
     • Work-Energy Theorem
     • Kinetic and Potential Energy
     • Power and Efficiency
   • Linear Momentum
     • Impulse and Momentum
     • Conservation of Momentum
     • Collisions (Elastic and Inelastic)
   • Rotational Motion
     • Rotational Kinematics
     • Torque and Angular Momentum
     • Rotational Dynamics (Moment of Inertia, Rotational Energy)
2. 2

   Fluids and Solids

   3 topics

   • Fluid Mechanics
     • Properties of Fluids (Density, Pressure)
     • Pascal's Principle
     • Archimedes' Principle
     • Fluid Flow (Bernoulli's Equation)
   • Elasticity and Stress
     • Hooke's Law
     • Young's Modulus
     • Shear and Bulk Modulus
   • Fluid Dynamics
     • Viscosity and Laminar Flow
     • Turbulent Flow
     • Reynolds Number
3. 3

   Electricity and Magnetism

   4 topics

   • Electric Charge and Electric Field
     • Coulomb's Law
     • Electric Field and Electric Potential
     • Gauss's Law
   • Electric Circuits
     • Current, Voltage, Resistance
     • Ohm's Law
     • Series and Parallel Circuits
     • RC Circuits
   • Magnetism
     • Magnetic Fields and Forces
     • Magnetic Field of Currents (Ampère's Law)
     • Magnetic Properties of Materials
   • Electromagnetic Induction
     • Faraday's Law
     • Lenz's Law
     • Induced EMF and Magnetic Flux
4. 4

   Waves and Optics

   4 topics

   • Wave Properties
     • Types of Waves (Mechanical vs. Electromagnetic)
     • Wave Equation
     • Superposition and Interference
   • Sound Waves
     • Characteristics of Sound Waves
     • Doppler Effect
     • Sound Intensity and Resonance
   • Geometric Optics
     • Reflection and Refraction
     • Mirrors and Lenses
     • Lens Equation and Magnification
   • Wave Optics
     • Diffraction and Polarization
     • Young's Double-Slit Experiment
     • Thin-Film Interference
5. 5

   Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics

   3 topics

   • Laws of Thermodynamics
     • Zeroth Law
     • First Law
     • Second Law
     • Third Law
     • Heat
     • Work
     • Internal Energy
     • Entropy
     • Carnot Cycle
   • Thermal Properties of Matter
     • Heat Capacity
     • Specific Heat
     • Phase Transitions (Melting, Boiling, Condensation)
     • Thermal Expansion
   • Kinetic Theory
     • Ideal Gas Law
     • Maxwell-Boltzmann Distribution
     • Brownian Motion
6. 6

   Modern Physics

   3 topics

   • Quantum Mechanics
     • Wave-Particle Duality
     • Uncertainty Principle
     • Schrödinger Equation
   • Atomic and Nuclear Physics
     • Atomic Structure and Spectra
     • Radioactive Decay
     • Nuclear Reactions (Fusion and Fission)
   • Special Relativity
     • Einstein's Postulates
     • Time Dilation and Length Contraction
     • Relativistic Energy and Momentum

Physics flashcards for MCAT

24 of 51 cards from the Physics deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. Define average velocity and give its formula.

   Average velocity is displacement divided by the time interval: $\vec{v}_{avg} = \frac{\Delta \vec{x}}{\Delta t}$. It is a vector quantity pointing in the direction of displacement.

2. State the three primary kinematic equations for constant acceleration (1D).

   $v = v_{0} + at$; $x = x_{0} + v_{0}t + \frac{1}{2}at^{2}$; $v^{2} = v_{0}^{2} + 2a\Delta x$.

3. For projectile motion, what are the horizontal and vertical acceleration components?

   Horizontal: $a_{x} = 0$ (constant horizontal velocity). Vertical: $a_{y} = -g \approx -9.8\ \text{m/s}^{2}$ (constant downward acceleration).

4. What is the range of a projectile launched from ground level at angle $\theta$ with speed $v_{0}$?

   $R = \frac{v_{0}^{2}\sin(2\theta)}{g}$, which is maximized at $\theta = 45^{\circ}$.

5. State Newton's three laws of motion.

   1) An object at rest or in uniform motion stays so unless acted on by a net force (inertia). 2) $\vec{F}_{net} = m\vec{a}$. 3) For every action force there is an equal and opposite reaction force: $\vec{F}_{AB} = -\vec{F}_{BA}$.

6. Distinguish static friction from kinetic friction, including their formulas.

   Static friction opposes impending motion, varying up to a maximum $f_{s} \leq \mu_{s}N$. Kinetic friction acts during sliding and is $f_{k} = \mu_{k}N$. Generally $\mu_{s} > \mu_{k}$.

7. What provides the centripetal force for uniform circular motion, and what is its magnitude?

   The net inward (radial) force provides it: $F_{c} = \frac{mv^{2}}{r} = m\omega^{2}r$, directed toward the center of the circle.

8. Define the work done by a constant force and note when it is zero.

   $W = \vec{F}\cdot\vec{d} = Fd\cos\theta$. Work is zero when the force is perpendicular to displacement ($\theta = 90^{\circ}$) or when there is no displacement.

9. State the work-energy theorem.

   The net work done on an object equals its change in kinetic energy: $W_{net} = \Delta KE = \frac{1}{2}mv_{f}^{2} - \frac{1}{2}mv_{i}^{2}$.

10. Give the formulas for gravitational potential energy (near Earth) and elastic (spring) potential energy.

    Gravitational: $PE_{grav} = mgh$. Elastic: $PE_{spring} = \frac{1}{2}kx^{2}$, where $k$ is the spring constant and $x$ is displacement from equilibrium.

11. State the principle of conservation of mechanical energy.

    When only conservative forces act, total mechanical energy is constant: $KE_{i} + PE_{i} = KE_{f} + PE_{f}$.

12. Define power and give two formulas.

    Power is the rate of doing work: $P = \frac{W}{t}$. For a constant force, $P = \vec{F}\cdot\vec{v} = Fv\cos\theta$. SI unit: watt (W).

13. Define linear momentum and impulse, and state the impulse-momentum theorem.

    Momentum $\vec{p} = m\vec{v}$. Impulse $\vec{J} = \vec{F}\Delta t$. The theorem: $\vec{J} = \Delta \vec{p} = m\vec{v}_{f} - m\vec{v}_{i}$.

14. When is linear momentum conserved, and what is the conservation equation?

    Momentum is conserved when the net external force is zero (e.g., in collisions): $\sum m_{i}\vec{v}_{i,initial} = \sum m_{i}\vec{v}_{i,final}$.

15. Compare elastic and inelastic collisions.

    Both conserve momentum. Elastic collisions also conserve kinetic energy. Inelastic collisions do not conserve KE; in a perfectly inelastic collision the objects stick together and move with a common final velocity.

16. Define torque and give its magnitude formula.

    Torque is the rotational analog of force: $\vec{\tau} = \vec{r}\times\vec{F}$, with magnitude $\tau = rF\sin\theta$, where $\theta$ is the angle between the lever arm and the force.

17. State the rotational form of Newton's second law and define moment of inertia.

    $\tau_{net} = I\alpha$, where $\alpha$ is angular acceleration and $I = \sum m_{i}r_{i}^{2}$ is the moment of inertia, the rotational analog of mass depending on mass distribution about the axis.

18. Give the formulas for rotational kinetic energy and angular momentum.

    Rotational kinetic energy: $KE_{rot} = \frac{1}{2}I\omega^{2}$. Angular momentum: $L = I\omega$, conserved when net external torque is zero.

19. Define density and specific gravity.

    Density $\rho = \frac{m}{V}$. Specific gravity is the ratio of a substance's density to the density of water ($1000\ \text{kg/m}^{3}$): $SG = \frac{\rho}{\rho_{water}}$; it is dimensionless.

20. State the relationship between pressure and depth in a static fluid.

    Absolute pressure at depth $h$: $P = P_{0} + \rho g h$, where $P_{0}$ is the pressure at the surface. Gauge pressure is $P_{gauge} = \rho g h$.

21. State Pascal's principle.

    A pressure change applied to an enclosed incompressible fluid is transmitted undiminished to every point in the fluid. This underlies hydraulic systems: $\frac{F_{1}}{A_{1}} = \frac{F_{2}}{A_{2}}$.

22. State Archimedes' principle and the buoyant force formula.

    A body immersed in a fluid experiences an upward buoyant force equal to the weight of the fluid displaced: $F_{B} = \rho_{fluid}\, V_{displaced}\, g$.

23. Define stress and strain, and state Young's modulus.

    Stress = force per area $\sigma = \frac{F}{A}$; strain = fractional deformation $\varepsilon = \frac{\Delta L}{L_{0}}$. Young's modulus $Y = \frac{\sigma}{\varepsilon} = \frac{F/A}{\Delta L/L_{0}}$, describing resistance to tensile/compressive deformation.

24. State Hooke's law for a spring and identify each term.

    $F = -kx$, where $F$ is the restoring force, $k$ is the spring constant (stiffness), and $x$ is the displacement from equilibrium. The negative sign shows the force opposes displacement.

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