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# Classical Mechanics/Equations

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This page gives a summary of important equations in classical mechanics.

Nomenclature

a = acceleration (m/s2)
F = force (N = kg m/s2)
KE = kinetic energy (J = kg m2/s2)
m = mass (kg)
p = momentum (kg m/s)
s = position (m)
t = time (s)
v = velocity (m/s)
v0 = velocity at time t=0
W = work (J = kg m2/s2)
x(t) = position at time t
x0 = position at time t=0

Defining Equations

Velocity

v = δs/δt = ds/dt

Acceleration

a = δv/δt = dv/dt = d2s/dt2

Centripetal Acceleration

ac = v2 / R

Momentum

p = mv

Angular Momentum

L = mvr

Vector form L = pxR

R is the radius vector

Force

F = dp/dt = d(mv)/dt

F = ma (Constant Mass)

Impulse

I = FΔt

Energy

Kinetic Energy

KE = 1/2 mv2

Potential Energy

PE = mgh

g is the acceleration due to gravity, one the physical constants.

Useful derived equations

Position of an accelerating body

x(t) = 1/2at2 + v0t + x0

Equation for velocity
v2=v02 + 2aΔx

where Δx is the change is position.

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Last edited August 13, 2001 2:34 pm (diff)
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