Mechanics: Solves kinematics, projectiles, force, gravity, friction, inclined slopes, work, energy and angular motion problems.
Collisions: Solves collision (both elastic and inelastic), collision on a plane (involving angles), ejection and explosion (2 body) problems. Your input as well as the final answer is diagrammed for clarity.
Bernoulli: Solves fluid flow and Bernoulli equation problems.
Heat: Solves calorimetry and heat transfer problems.
Optics: Solves mirror and lens problems. Draws a ray diagram along with the worked-out solution.
Electromag: Solves electricity and magnetism problems including charges, magnetic fields, simple circuits, capacitors, resistors, I2R power loss and Railguns. Does not include compound circuits.
Quantum: Solves photons (energy, emission, absorption), de Broglie, work function, electron energy levels, Balmar, Lyman and Paschen Series.
Important tips on solving physics problems (please read):
Get your signs right
Should I input v = 7 m/s, or v = -7 m/s? Alpha Solver uses the following convention:
Up is positive.
Down is negative.
Right is positive.
Left is negative.
Up an incline is positive.
Down an incline is negative.
For ΔVariables, such as dv, dKE, an increase is positive, a decrease is negative.
It's very intuitive. But if you get it wrong, then the answer will be wrong. Eg: vi = 6, a = 2 is very different from vi = 6, a = -2.
Get your units right
If the unit is in SI, then no unit is required in the input. Eg: v=5m/s, t=3s, d=?m is the same as v=5, t=3, d=?
All non-SI units must be appended at the end of the value. Eg: v=5ft/min, t=1hr, d=?ft
For thetas (angles), the default unit is degrees. For everything else, we follow the SI convention.
When in doubt, include the units! Because there're some non-obvious ones: the SI for volume is m^3, not L. SI temperature is K, not C. SI molecular mass is kg/mol, not g/mol.
Use the hints provided for your input
If something is not in the hints/search assist, then it's not available as a variable/unit!
Input is case sensitive! eg: v is velocity, V is voltage or volume.
The hints/search assist will also provide common names for many variables. Eg, velocity is the same as v.
Scientific notation
Yes! Alpha Solver takes scientific notation for very large and very small values.
Sample input: v = 2.6e7, t = 1e-3, d=?
Official variable list for Alpha Solver Physics
First thing: Don't stress about memorizing all the variables in one go! Hint/search assist will help you out. Besides, your teacher will only teach you a few variables at a time.
Note: not all variables below are available in a particular app. Some variables can mean 2 or more things. Eg: c is either specific heat capacity or speed of light. Use the hint/search assist function of each app to see available variables.
Note on prefix: d = change in. Eg: dv = change in velocity.
Note on suffix: i = initial. f = final. Eg: vi = initial velocity, vf = final velocity. 1,2 means objects 1,2. Eg: q1 = charge1, q2 = charge2.
a = acceleration
ax = acceleration in the x direction
ay = acceleration in the y direction
ac = centripetal acceleration
alpha = angular acceleration
A = area
A = amplitude
B = magnetic field
c = specific heat capacity
c = speed of light
d = distance/displacement
dx = distance/displacement in the x direction
dy = distance/displacement in the y direction
diameter
dt = time
e = coefficient of restitution
eff = efficiency
f = frequency
f = focal length
F = force
F_applied = applied force
F_net = net force (after taking into account of friction)
Fc = centripetal force
Ff = frictional force
Fg = gravitational force
Fn = normal force
Fw = weight
Fws = weight acting in the direction of the slope/incline
Fwn = weight acting in the direction normal to the slope/incline
g = 9.81 m/s^2
G = universal gravitational constant
GPE = gravitational potential energy
h = height
h = Planck's constant
i = image distance
I = current
I = moment of inertia
I2R_loss = I^2R power loss
J = volume flow rate
k = spring constant
k = Coulomb constant
K = dielectric constant
KE = kinetic energy
lambda = wavelength
L = length
m = mass
M = mass of planet (used in F = G*m*M/r^2)
M = molecular mass
n = energy level
n = number of mols
N = number of molecules
N = number of coils
o = object distance
p = momentum
phi = work function
P = power
P_in = power input/supplied (used to calculate efficiency)
P_out = power output/delivered (used to calculate efficiency)
P = pressure
Phi = magnetic flux
PI = 3.14
q = charge
q1 = charge 1
q2 = charge 2
r = radius
rho = density
rho = resistivity
R = resistance
R = Rydberg constant
t = time
T = period
tau = torque
dtheta = theta displaced
theta_slope = angle of the incline.
theta_var = theta/angle of var. Eg: theta_vi = 30 means the initial velocity is 30 degrees north of east.
theta_var1_var2 = theta/angle between var1 and var2. Eg: theta_F_applied_d = angle between applied force and displacement
u = velocity before collision (used in collisions app). Eg: u1,u1x,u1y, are the vi,vix,viy of object 1 before collision. For this app, diagram assist in
addition to the hint/search assist is available.
uk = coefficient of kinetic friction
us = coefficient of static friction
v = velocity
vmax = v0, speed at equilibrium position (for simple harmonic motion)
vx = x component of velocity
vy = y component of velocity
vi = initial velocity
vix = x component of initial velocity
viy = y component of initial velocity
vf = final velocity
vfx = x component of final velocity
vfy = y component of final velocity
dv = change in velocity
dV = voltage or potential
w = angular velocity
wi = initial angular velocity
wf = final angular velocity
W = work
Z = atomic number
Official units list for Alpha Solver Physics
Note: not all units are available on one particular app. Some apps may have more units available. Follow the hint/search assist to see available units.
Important: pound is a unit for mass NOT force, even though people say x weighs 150 pounds. You should input m = 150 pound, or m = 150 poundmass, or Fw = 150 poundforce.
All percentages are expressed as the decimal. eg, an efficiency of 96% should be input as eff = 0.96
Also, for compound non-SI units, make sure you input the complete unit. Eg: E = 2 kW*h (not kWh). Again, follow the hints/search assist.