THERMODYNAMICS
GATE/ESE READY
32 FORMULAS
Basic Laws & Properties
First Law
Energy Balance (Closed System)
Q - W = ΔU = mCᵥΔT
Q = Heat transfer (kJ) W = Work done (kJ) ΔU = Change in internal energy Cᵥ = Specific heat at const. vol.
First Law
Steady Flow Energy Equation (SFEE)
Q - W = Δh + ΔKE + ΔPE
h = Enthalpy (kJ/kg) KE = V²/2 (m²/s²) PE = gz (J/kg)
Ideal Gas
Ideal Gas Law
PV = mRT = nR̄T
P = Pressure (Pa) V = Volume (m³) R = Specific gas constant R̄ = 8.314 kJ/kmol·K
Specific Heats
Mayer's Relation
Cₚ - Cᵥ = R | γ = Cₚ/Cᵥ
Cₚ = Specific heat at const. pressure γ = 1.4 (diatomic), 1.67 (monatomic)
Processes & Cycles
Polytropic
Polytropic Process Work
W = (P₁V₁ - P₂V₂)/(n-1)
n = 0: Isobaric | n = 1: Isothermal n = γ: Isentropic | n = ∞: Isochoric PVⁿ = const
Carnot
Carnot Efficiency & COP
η = 1 - T_L/T_H | COP = T_L/(T_H-T_L)
T_H = Source temperature (K) T_L = Sink temperature (K) COP_HP = T_H/(T_H-T_L)
Otto Cycle
Otto Cycle Efficiency
η_Otto = 1 - 1/rᵞ⁻¹
r = Compression ratio = V₁/V₂ γ = 1.4 for air
Diesel Cycle
Diesel Cycle Efficiency
η_Diesel = 1 - (rᶜʸ - 1)/[γ·r^(γ-1)·(rc-1)]
r = Compression ratio rc = Cut-off ratio = V₃/V₂
Entropy
Entropy Change (Ideal Gas)
Δs = Cᵥ·ln(T₂/T₁) + R·ln(v₂/v₁)
Also: Δs = Cₚ·ln(T₂/T₁) - R·ln(P₂/P₁) Isentropic: Δs = 0
Isentropic
Isentropic Relations
T₂/T₁ = (P₂/P₁)^((γ-1)/γ) = (V₁/V₂)^(γ-1)
Valid for reversible adiabatic process PVᵞ = constant
Heat Transfer
Conduction
Fourier's Law
Q = -kA(dT/dx) = kA(T₁-T₂)/L
k = Thermal conductivity (W/m·K) A = Cross-section area (m²)
Convection
Newton's Law of Cooling
Q = hA(T_s - T_∞)
h = Convective heat transfer coefficient T_s = Surface temp | T_∞ = Fluid temp
Radiation
Stefan-Boltzmann Law
Q = εσA(T₁⁴ - T₂⁴)
σ = 5.67×10⁻⁸ W/m²K⁴ ε = Emissivity (0 to 1)
LMTD
Log Mean Temperature Difference
LMTD = (ΔT₁ - ΔT₂)/ln(ΔT₁/ΔT₂)
Q = U·A·LMTD U = Overall heat transfer coeff.
STRENGTH OF MATERIALS
SOM / MOS
28 FORMULAS
Stress & Strain
Hooke's Law
Stress-Strain Relation
σ = E·ε | τ = G·γ
σ = Normal stress (Pa) E = Young's modulus G = E/[2(1+ν)] ν = Poisson's ratio
Principal Stresses
Mohr's Circle, Principal Stress
σ₁,₂ = (σₓ+σᵧ)/2 ± √[(σₓ-σᵧ)²/4 + τ²]
τ_max = √[(σₓ-σᵧ)²/4 + τ²] tan 2θ = 2τ/(σₓ-σᵧ)
Volumetric
Volumetric Strain
εᵥ = εₓ + εᵧ + ε_z = ΔV/V
K = E/[3(1-2ν)] (Bulk modulus) εᵥ = p/K (Hydrostatic pressure)
Thermal
Thermal Stress
σ_thermal = -E·α·ΔT (if constrained)
α = Coefficient of thermal expansion Free expansion: δ = αLΔT
Beams & Bending
Bending
Flexure Formula (Bending Stress)
M/I = σ/y = E/R
M = Bending moment (N·m) I = Second moment of area (m⁴) y = Distance from neutral axis R = Radius of curvature
Shear
Shear Stress in Beams
τ = VQ/(Ib)
V = Shear force Q = First moment of area b = Width at the point
Deflection
Beam Deflection (Simply Supported, UDL)
δ_max = 5wL⁴/(384EI)
w = UDL (N/m) Point load at center: δ = PL³/(48EI) Cantilever: δ = PL³/(3EI)
Column
Euler's Column Buckling Load
Pₑ = π²EI/(Lₑ)²
Lₑ = Effective length Both ends pinned: Lₑ = L Fixed-free: Lₑ = 2L Fixed-fixed: Lₑ = L/2
Torsion & Cylinders
Torsion
Torsion Formula
T/J = τ/r = Gθ/L
T = Torque (N·m) J = Polar moment of inertia J_solid = πd⁴/32 θ = Angle of twist (rad)
Thin Cylinder
Thin-Walled Pressure Vessel
σ_h = pd/(2t) | σ_l = pd/(4t)
σ_h = Hoop (circumferential) stress σ_l = Longitudinal stress p = Internal pressure | d = dia | t = thickness
FLUID MECHANICS
FM / HYDRAULICS
26 FORMULAS
Fluid Properties & Statics
Viscosity
Newton's Law of Viscosity
τ = μ(du/dy)
μ = Dynamic viscosity (Pa·s) ν = μ/ρ (Kinematic viscosity, m²/s) du/dy = Velocity gradient
Hydrostatics
Hydrostatic Pressure & Force
P = ρgh | F = ρg·ȳ·A
ȳ = Depth of centroid Center of pressure: yₚ = ȳ + I_G/(ȳ·A)
Buoyancy
Archimedes' Principle
F_B = ρ_fluid·g·V_submerged
Floatation: F_B = W_body Metacentric height: GM = I/V - BG
Flow Equations
Continuity
Continuity Equation
A₁V₁ = A₂V₂ = Q (incompressible)
Q = Volume flow rate (m³/s) ρ₁A₁V₁ = ρ₂A₂V₂ (compressible)
Bernoulli
Bernoulli's Equation
P/ρg + V²/2g + z = const = H
P/ρg = Pressure head V²/2g = Velocity head z = Datum head
Reynolds No.
Reynolds Number
Re = ρVD/μ = VD/ν
Re < 2000: Laminar flow Re > 4000: Turbulent flow 2000-4000: Transition zone
Pipe Flow
Darcy-Weisbach Equation
h_f = f·L·V²/(D·2g)
f = Darcy friction factor Laminar: f = 64/Re Turbulent: Use Moody chart
Flow Measurement
Venturimeter / Orifice Meter
Q = Cd·A₂√[2g(h)/(1-(A₂/A₁)²)]
Cd = Discharge coefficient (≈0.98 venturi) Orifice: Cd ≈ 0.62
Boundary Layer
Boundary Layer Thickness (Laminar)
δ = 5x/√(Reₓ) = 5x/√(Vx/ν)
C_D = 1.328/√(Re_L) (flat plate, laminar) C_D = 0.074/Re_L^0.2 (turbulent)
MACHINE DESIGN
DESIGN OF MACHINE ELEMENTS
24 FORMULAS
Static & Fatigue Failure
Factor of Safety
FOS, Static Loading
FOS = S_ut / σ_max or S_yt / σ_max
S_ut = Ultimate tensile strength S_yt = Yield tensile strength
Von Mises
Von Mises Criterion
σ' = √(σ² + 3τ²) ≤ S_yt/FOS
Combined loading criterion Most conservative for ductile materials
Soderberg
Soderberg Line (Fatigue)
σ_a/S_e + σ_m/S_yt = 1/FOS
σ_a = Alternating stress σ_m = Mean stress S_e = Endurance limit
Goodman
Modified Goodman Line
σ_a/S_e + σ_m/S_ut = 1/FOS
More realistic than Soderberg S_e = 0.5·S_ut (steel, unmodified)
Power Screws & Springs
Power Screw
Torque to Raise / Lower Load
T_raise = W·d_m/2 · (l+πμd_m)/(πd_m-μl)
μ = Coefficient of friction l = Lead | d_m = Mean thread dia η = Wl/(2πT_raise)
Helical Spring
Spring Stiffness & Stress
k = Gd⁴/(8D³n) | τ = K_w·8WD/(πd³)
C = D/d (Spring index) K_w = (4C-1)/(4C-4) + 0.615/C (Wahl factor) δ = 8WD³n/(Gd⁴)
Gears & Bearings
Spur Gear
Lewis Bending Equation
σ_b = W_t/(b·m·Y)
W_t = Tangential force b = Face width | m = Module Y = Lewis form factor
Bearing
Dynamic Load Capacity & Life
L₁₀ = (C/P)³ × 10⁶/60N (hours)
C = Dynamic load capacity (kN) P = Equivalent dynamic load p = 3 (ball), 10/3 (roller)
Belt Drive
Belt Tension Ratio
T₁/T₂ = e^(μθ)
T₁ = Tight side | T₂ = Slack side Power = (T₁-T₂)·V θ = Angle of wrap (rad)
Clutch / Brake
Disc Clutch Torque (Uniform Pressure)
T = (2/3)μW(R₁³-R₂³)/(R₁²-R₂²)
W = Axial force Uniform wear: T = μW(R₁+R₂)/2

How to Use This Mechanical Engineering Formula Sheet

This formula sheet is a quick reference for Mechanical Engineering students and GATE aspirants. It covers all major subjects in a condensed format, ideal for last-minute revision before exams, on-the-job quick lookups, and verifying equations while solving problems.

Tips for Exam Revision

  1. Use this sheet for revision- not as a substitute for understanding derivations.
  2. For each formula, know: what the variables mean, the units, and at least one worked example.
  3. Mark the formulas you confuse most often, review those daily in the week before the exam.
  4. For GATE, memorise exact forms, errors in sign, exponent, or coefficient cost marks.
💡 Print this sheet and physically write your own notes next to each formula, the act of writing reinforces memory far better than passive reading.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a formula sheet in GATE or university exams?

No. GATE does not allow any reference material, all formulas must be memorised. University exams vary by college; some allow open-book or formula-sheet exams. Check your exam rules. This sheet is for preparation and practice only.

How do I memorise engineering formulas effectively?

The most effective technique is spaced repetition, review a formula on day 1, day 3, day 7, day 14, then monthly. Anki (free flashcard app) automates this schedule. Also, derive formulas from first principles at least once, understanding the derivation makes the final form much easier to recall under exam pressure.