OAT Physics Topics
Official (ASCO/ADA) OAT physics topics include the following: Units and vectors, linear kinematics, statics, dynamics, rotational motion, energy and momentum, simple harmonic motion: springs, period, angular frequency, waves and interference, fluid statics, thermal energy and thermodynamics, electrostatics, DC circuits: voltage, current, resistance, capacitors, transformers, magnetism, optics (mirrors and lenses), and modern physics (i.e. nuclear/atomic physics).
Be sure that you are familiar with the SI units for all topics that you review and, of course, how to interconvert SI units (i.e. joules to picojoules or kilojoules, etc.; force is in newtons and one newton is equal to one kilogram-meter per second squared, etc.). To make it easier for you to memorize OAT Physics equations, you should consider printing our suggested equation list below or making your own OAT equation formula sheet. Review your equations frequently leading up to the real exam. Of course, understanding is always better than just memorization.
OAT physics topics are not identical to MCAT topics. It is important to know the difference because some students prepare for the OAT using MCAT books and then are surprised when they see the real OAT exam. Note that the MCAT covers AC circuits and fluid dynamics (i.e. Bernouilli's equation, continuity) which are NOT OAT Physics topics. On the other hand, the OAT includes angular rotation equations which are not MCAT topics.
OAT Physics Equations: Memorize These!
| alpha: α | mu: μ | delta: Δ |
If you don't see the Greek symbols above then the equations below will not make sense; thus adjust fonts on your browser to Unicode.
OAT Physics Equations: Memorize as Pairs
| Linear motion | Rotational motion |
|---|---|
| Force | Torque |
| Mass | Moment of inertia |
| Distance Traveled (displacement) |
Angle rotated (angular displacement) |
| Velocity | Angular velocity |
| Acceleration | Angular acceleration |
| Momentum | Angular momentum |
Sample Gold Standard Physics Video
Don't Memorize, Know How to Use...
| L = L0 (1 + αΔ T ) | Linear Expansion | Solids, Temp Δ |
| A = A0(1 + γΔ T ) | Area Expansion | |
| V = V0(1 + βΔ T ) | Volume Expansion | β = 3 α |
| fo = fs (V ± vo )/( V ± vs ) | Doppler Effect: when d is decreasing use + vo and - vs | |
| dF = dq v(B sin α) = I dl(B sin α) | Laplace's Law | RH rule |
Atomic Physics
Basics
| sin θ = opp/hyp | cos θ = adj/hyp | tan θ =opp/adj |
| θ = sin -1 x | arcsec θ = sec-1θ | r2 = x2 + y2 |
- angle θ may be given in radians (R) where 1 revolution = 2πR = 360°
- estimate square root 3 as 1.7 and root 2 as 1.4
- cross-sectional area of a tube = area of a circle = πr2 where π can be estimated as 3.14 and r is the radius of the circle; circumference = 2πr
Units
OAT Physics Book
To learn about our Gold Standard OAT Physics book with a complete OAT physics review and hundreds of practice questions, click on the image of the book.
