Mnemonics for Physics and Science: VIBGYOR, Electromagnetic Spectrum, SI Units, Planets and Fleming Rules for SSC
Rahul Kumar
SSC Exam Expert & Content Editor
In this note
- 1.Colours of the Rainbow (VIBGYOR)
- 2.Electromagnetic Spectrum
- 3.SI Base Units
- 4.Planets of the Solar System
- 5.Fleming’s Rules
- 6.Ohm’s Law and Formula Triangles
- 7.Trigonometric Ratios (SOH CAH TOA)
- 8.Other Physics Memory Aids
- 9.Quick Tips
- 10.Quick Revision Points
- 11.Practice Questions With Answers
- 12.How to Practise This Chapter
- 13.Frequently Asked Questions
PDF Notes: Mnemonics for Physics and Science: VIBGYOR, Electromagnetic Spectrum, SI Units, Planets and Fleming Rules for SSC
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Physics and general science have many ordered lists that can be learned with the help of mnemonics. This guide on physics and science mnemonics for SSC gives memory tricks for the colours of the rainbow, the electromagnetic spectrum, the SI base units, the planets, Fleming’s rules and the trigonometric ratios, together with the correct facts, practice questions and FAQs.
The sentences are memory aids and not official; check the facts in the tables.
Colours of the Rainbow (VIBGYOR)
| Mnemonic | Colours |
|---|---|
| VIBGYOR (read as a word) or Very Important Boys Get Yellow Oranges Regularly | Violet, Indigo, Blue, Green, Yellow, Orange, Red |
Violet has the shortest wavelength and the highest frequency; red has the longest wavelength and bends the least. In ROYGBIV (the reverse order) red comes first.
Electromagnetic Spectrum
From the longest wavelength to the shortest wavelength (lowest to highest frequency): Radio waves, Microwaves, Infrared, Visible light, Ultraviolet, X-rays and Gamma rays.
| Mnemonic | Waves |
|---|---|
| Raging Martians Invaded Venus Using X-ray Guns | Radio, Microwave, Infrared, Visible, Ultraviolet, X-ray, Gamma |
| Wave | Use |
|---|---|
| Radio waves | Radio and TV broadcast |
| Microwaves | Microwave ovens, radar, mobile phones |
| Infrared | Remote controls, night vision, heat |
| Ultraviolet | Sterilisation; vitamin D production; absorbed by the ozone layer |
| X-rays | Medical imaging (Röntgen) |
| Gamma rays | Cancer treatment; sterilisation; the most penetrating |
SI Base Units
| Mnemonic | Quantities and Units |
|---|---|
| Mr. Kumar Said Ali Kicked Many Cats | Metre (length), Kilogram (mass), Second (time), Ampere (current), Kelvin (temperature), Mole (amount of substance), Candela (luminous intensity) |
Planets of the Solar System
| Mnemonic | Planets (from the Sun) |
|---|---|
| My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Noodles | Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune |
- The largest planet is Jupiter; the smallest is Mercury; the hottest is Venus; the planet called the red planet is Mars.
- Venus and Uranus rotate in the opposite direction (retrograde).
- Saturn is known for its rings; the Earth is the only planet known to support life.
- Pluto was reclassified as a dwarf planet in 2006.
- The inner planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars) are rocky; the outer planets are gas and ice giants.
Fleming’s Rules
| Rule | Use | Memory Aid |
|---|---|---|
| Fleming’s left-hand rule | Direction of the force on a current-carrying wire in a magnetic field (electric motor) | FBI: thumb = Force, forefinger = B (field), middle finger = I (current); L for Left and M for Motor |
| Fleming’s right-hand rule | Direction of the induced current (generator) | Right for the generator: Generator Right; the thumb = motion, the forefinger = field, the middle finger = current |
Ohm’s Law and Formula Triangles
| Formula | Memory Aid |
|---|---|
| V = I × R | Draw a triangle with V on the top and I and R at the bottom; cover the unknown to get the formula |
| Power P = V × I | The triangle with P on the top and V and I at the bottom |
| Speed = Distance / Time | The triangle with D on the top, S and T at the bottom |
| Density = Mass / Volume | The triangle with M on the top, D and V at the bottom |
Trigonometric Ratios (SOH CAH TOA)
| Mnemonic | Meaning |
|---|---|
| SOH | Sin = Opposite / Hypotenuse |
| CAH | Cos = Adjacent / Hypotenuse |
| TOA | Tan = Opposite / Adjacent |
| Full sentence | Some People Have Curly Brown Hair Through Proper Brushing (Sin = Perpendicular/Hypotenuse; Cos = Base/Hypotenuse; Tan = Perpendicular/Base) |
Other Physics Memory Aids
| Topic | Memory Aid |
|---|---|
| Laws of motion | First: inertia; second: F = ma; third: action and reaction |
| Types of mirrors in use | Convex for the rear-view; concave for shaving and headlights |
| Units: force, work, power | Newton (force), Joule (work and energy), Watt (power) |
| Speed of light | 3 × 10⁸ m/s |
| Speed of sound in air | About 332 to 343 m/s |
| pH scale | Acids below 7; neutral at 7; bases above 7 |
Quick Tips
- Say the mnemonic sentences aloud once a day.
- Use the formula triangle for the physics equations.
- Keep your own sentences if they work better.
- Check the actual facts with the tables.
Quick Revision Points
- VIBGYOR: violet to red.
- Electromagnetic spectrum: radio to gamma.
- SI base units: m, kg, s, A, K, mol, cd.
- Planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune.
- SOH CAH TOA for the trigonometric ratios.
Practice Questions With Answers
- Which colour of the rainbow has the shortest wavelength?
Answer: Violet - What is the SI unit of temperature?
Answer: Kelvin - Which is the largest planet?
Answer: Jupiter - Which electromagnetic wave has the shortest wavelength?
Answer: Gamma rays - What is the SI unit of electric current?
Answer: Ampere - Which is the red planet?
Answer: Mars - What does SOH stand for?
Answer: Sin = Opposite/Hypotenuse - Which rule gives the direction of force on a current-carrying conductor?
Answer: Fleming’s left-hand rule - Which is the hottest planet?
Answer: Venus - How many SI base units are there?
Answer: 7
How to Practise This Chapter
Practise 10 questions every day and write the steps on paper. Then attempt timed sets from our practice papers and the previous year papers page. See all topics on the Mnemonics notes page, read the previous topic Mnemonics for Chemistry and the Periodic Table and the next topic Mnemonics for Hindi Grammar.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is VIBGYOR?
The colours of the rainbow in order: violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange, red.
What is the order of the electromagnetic spectrum?
Radio, microwave, infrared, visible, ultraviolet, X-ray and gamma.
What are the SI base units?
Metre, kilogram, second, ampere, kelvin, mole and candela.
What is the order of the planets?
Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune.
What is Fleming’s left-hand rule?
A rule for the direction of force in a motor.
What is Fleming’s right-hand rule?
A rule for the direction of the induced current in a generator.
What is SOH CAH TOA?
A mnemonic for sin, cos and tan as ratios of the sides of a right triangle.
Which planet is the smallest?
Mercury.
Is this topic asked in SSC?
Yes. These lists are asked in the general science section.
Do mnemonics work for everyone?
They work best when you create your own sentence.
What is the speed of light?
About 3 × 10⁸ m/s.
What is pH 7?
The neutral point.
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Mnemonics for Chemistry and the Periodic Table: Memory Tricks for Elements, Reactivity Series, Groups and Latin Symbols for SSC
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हिंदी व्याकरण के लिए स्मरण सूत्र (Mnemonics): कारक, रस, समास, संधि, अलंकार और छंद याद करने की ट्रिक SSC के लिए
Rahul Kumar
SSC Exam Expert & Content Editor
Rahul is a senior SSC exam strategist with 8+ years of experience helping aspirants crack CGL, CHSL and MTS exams. He writes in-depth notification breakdowns, exam pattern guides and preparation strategies.