title: List of physics mnemonics
text: # List of physics mnemonics
  
  This is a categorized list of physics mnemonics.
  
  ## Mechanics
  
  ### Work: formula
  
  "Lots of Work makes me Mad!":
  
  Work = Mad:
  
  M=Mass
  
  a=acceleration
  
  d=distance
  
  ## Thermodynamics
  
  ### Ideal gas law
  
  "Pure Virgins Never Really Tire":
  
  PV=nRT
  
  ### Gibbs's free energy formula
  
  "Good Honey Tastes Sweet":
  
  (delta)G = H - T(delta)S.
  
  ## Electrodynamics
  
  ### Ohm's Law
  
  "Virgins Are Rare":
  
  Volts = Amps x Resistance
  
  ### Relation between Resistance and Resistivity
  
  REPLAY
  
  Resistance = ρ (Length/Area)
  
  ### Inductive and Capacitive circuits
  
  Once upon a time, the symbol E (for electromotive force) was used to designate voltages. Then, every student learned the phrase ELI the ICE man as a reminder that:
  
  * For an inductive (L) circuit, the EMF (E) is ahead of the current (I)
  * While for a capactive circuit (C), the current (I) is ahead of the EMF (E).
  
  And then they all lived happily ever after.
  
  ### Open and Short circuits
  
  "There are zero COVS grazing in the field!"
  
  This is a mnemonic to remember the useful fact that:
  
  * The Current through an Open circuit is always zero
  * The Voltage across a Short circuit is always zero
  
  ### Order of rainbow colors
  
  ROYGBIV (in reverse VIBGYOR) is commonly used to remember the order of colors in the visible light spectrum, as seen in a rainbow.
  
  Richard of York gave battle in vain"
  
  * (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet).
  
  Additionally, the fictitious name Roy G. Biv can be used as well.
  
  * (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet).
  
  ### Speed of light
  
  The phrase "We guarantee certainty, clearly referring to this light mnemonic." represents the speed of light in meters per second through the number of letters in each word: 299,792,458.
  
  ### Electromagnetic spectrum
  
  In the order of increasing frequency or decreasing wavelength of electromagnetic waves;
  
  * Radio waves, Microwaves, Infrared, Visible light, Ultraviolet, X-Rays, Gamma Rays
  * Road Men Invented Very Unique Xtra Gums
  * Ronald McDonald Invented Very Unusual & eXcellent Gherkins.
  * Remember My Instructions Visible Under X-Ray Glasses
  * Raging (or Red) Martians Invaded Venus Using X-ray Guns.
  * Rahul's Mother Is Visiting Uncle Xavier's Garden.
  * Ryann May I Visit YoUr eX-Girlfriend?
  * Rich Men In Vegas Use eXpensive Gadgets
  * Royal Magicians Interested Viewing Untied X-mas Gifts
  
  In the order of increasing wavelength;
  
  * Good Xylophones Use Very Interesting Musical Rhythms.
  * Godzilla-X Using Violence In Meeting Room.
  * Granddad Xavier Unfortunately Vomited In My Room.
  * Grandma's X-Large Underwear Visible In My Room.
  
  ### Microwave frequency bands
  
  Microwave frequency bands ordered by increasing wavelengths (decreasing frequencies): King Xerxes Can Seduce Lovely (princesses)
  
  ## Other
  
  ### Radium series (or uranium series)
  
  To remember the decay chain of $^{238}U,$ commonly called the "radium series" (sometimes "uranium series"). Beginning with naturally occurring uranium-238;
  
  * ${\begin{array}{l}\\{\ce {^{238}_{92}U->[\alpha ][4.468\times 10^{9}\ {\ce {y}}]{^{234}_{90}Th}->[\beta ^{-}][24.1\ {\ce {d}}]{^{234\!m}_{91}Pa}}}{\begin{Bmatrix}{\ce {->[0.16\%][1.17\ {\ce {min}}]{^{234}_{91}Pa}->[\beta ^{-}][6.7\ {\ce {h}}]}}\\{\ce {->[99.84\%\ \beta ^{-}][1.17\ {\ce {min}}]}}\end{Bmatrix}}{\ce {^{234}_{92}U->[\alpha ][2.445\times 10^{5}\ {\ce {y}}]{^{230}_{90}Th}->[\alpha ][7.7\times 10^{4}\ {\ce {y}}]{^{226}_{88}Ra}->[\alpha ][1600\ {\ce {y}}]{^{222}_{86}Rn}}}\\{\ce {^{222}_{86}Rn->[\alpha ][3.8235\ {\ce {d}}]{^{218}_{84}Po}->[\alpha ][3.05\ {\ce {min}}]{^{214}_{82}Pb}->[\beta ^{-}][26.8\ {\ce {min}}]{^{214}_{83}Bi}->[\beta ^{-}][19.9\ {\ce {min}}]{^{214}_{84}Po}->[\alpha ][164.3\ \mu {\ce {s}}]{^{210}_{82}Pb}->[\beta ^{-}][22.26\ {\ce {y}}]{^{210}_{83}Bi}->[\beta ^{-}][5,013\ {\ce {d}}]{^{210}_{84}Po}->[\alpha ][138.38\ {\ce {d}}]{^{206}_{82}Pb}}}\end{array}}$
  
  A Bitty Bitty Ant Asked Another Ant About Bitty Bitty Ants' Bitty Bitty Aunts
  
  A = alpha decay
  
  B = beta decay
  
  