What This Guide Covers
Equations are where a lot of GCSE physics marks are won or lost. Knowing a formula is one thing. Knowing which one to use is the harder part.
This physics equation sheet GCSE students can use for revision puts the main formulas in one place. They’re grouped by topic with the symbols and units next to them. Use it alongside your exam board’s own list because boards and tiers can differ a little. “Use it alongside the official specification such as AQA GCSE Chemistry 8463 because boards and tiers can differ a little.
Quick Answer
“A physics equation sheet GCSE students rely on lists the formulas that link things like force, energy, current and speed.” Many of them are the same across AQA, Excel and OCR. Some are given to you in the exam and some you need to remember so check your board’s list. Learn what every symbol stands for and which unit goes with it.
What Is a GCSE Physics Equation Sheet?
“Put simply, a physics equation sheet GCSE exams are based on is a one-page list of formulas usually written two ways.”It’s a one page list of formulas usually written two ways. One is in words like force = mass × acceleration. The other is in symbols like F = m a. You need to be comfortable with both.
Boards and tiers matter here. Combined Science and Separate Physics don’t always use the same equations and Higher tier can include a few extra ones. The lists below cover the equations you’ll see most often. Cross out anything your board doesn’t ask for and add anything it does.
Forces and Motion Equations
- weight = mass × gravitational field strength (W = m g)
- resultant force = mass × acceleration (F = m a)
- distance = speed × time (s = v t)
- acceleration = change in velocity ÷ time taken (a = Δv ÷ t)
- final speed squared minus starting speed squared = 2 × acceleration × distance (v² minus u² = 2 a s)
- momentum = mass × velocity (p = m v)
- force on a spring = spring constant × extension (F = k e)
- moment = force × distance from the pivot at right angles to the force (M = F d)
- pressure = force ÷ area (p = F ÷ A)
Energy and Work Equations
Work done is what you get when a force moves something.
work done = force × distance moved (W = F s)
A rolling ball or a moving car has kinetic energy.
kinetic energy = 0.5 × mass × speed² (EEK = 0.5 m v²)
Say a 2 kg trolley is rolling at 3 m/s. It has 0.5 × 2 × 3² = 9 J. Twice the speed gives four times the energy.
Lifting something up stores gravitational potential energy.
gravitational potential energy = mass × gravitational field strength × height (Ep = m g h)
Raise 2 kg by 3 m with g = 10 N/kg and that’s 2 × 10 × 3 = 60 J stored. Some questions use 9.8 N/kg so use the value you’re given.
Stretching a spring stores elastic potential energy but only until you pass the spring’s limit of proportionality.
elastic potential energy = 0.5 × spring constant × extension² (Eel = 0.5 k e²)
- power = work done ÷ time taken (P = W ÷ t)
- efficiency = useful output energy ÷ total input energy
- change in thermal energy = mass × specific heat capacity × temperature change (ΔE = m c Δθ)
- energy for a change of state = mass × specific latent heat (E = m L)
Electricity Equations
- charge flow = current × time (Q = I t)
- potential difference = current × resistance (V = I R)
- power = potential difference × current (P = V I)
- power = current² × resistance (P = I² R)
- energy transferred = power × time (E = P t)
- energy transferred = charge flow × potential difference (E = Q V)
Waves and Other Equations
wave speed = frequency × wavelength (v = f λ)
Period is just frequency turned upside down.
period = 1 ÷ frequency (T = 1 ÷ f)
For density think of how much mass fits into each bit of space.
density = mass ÷ volume (ρ = m ÷ V)
Some boards also add equations for Separate Physics only like the transformer equation. If your course includes them, they’ll be on your board’s list.
Units You Need to Know
An equation is only half the answer. Writing the right unit matters too.
Here are the units to match. Force is in newtons (N) and energy or work done is in joules (J). Power is in watts (W) and frequency is in hertz (Hz). Potential difference is in volts (V) and current is in amperes (A). Resistance is in ohms (Ω) and charge is in coulombs (C).
How to Learn the Equations
“Whether you’re using a printed physics equation sheet GCSE boards provide, or one you’ve made yourself, these steps help it stick:”
- First write each equation in words. Then write it again in symbols.
- Practice rearranging it until finding any quantity feels easy.
- Say what every symbol means as you write it down.
- Switch to standard units before you calculate. Grams go to kilograms, centimeters to meters and minutes to seconds.
- Cover the list. Write what you remember on a blank page and check what you missed.
Common Mistakes
- Mixing up the two W’s. Weight and work done both use W so check which one the question wants.
- Forgetting to square. Kinetic energy uses speed squared, not speed.
- Missing the half. Both kinetic energy and elastic potential energy need the 0.5.
- Leaving the answer without a unit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will there be an equation sheet in the GCSE physics exam?
Boards have been giving students one in recent exams but the details can change. Check your exam board’s page before your exam date.
Which equations do I need to memorize?
It depends on your board and tier. Check the specification and learn any equation that isn’t given to you in the exam.
Are the equations the same for AQA, Excel and OCR?
Many are the same. A few are worded differently or only appear for certain tiers.
Do Foundation and Higher tier use different equations?
Some equations only appear at Higher tier or in Separate Physics. Your board’s list will show which ones.
Can I take my own equation sheet into the exam?
Usually not. Check your board’s exam rules.
How do I remember the equations?
Write them out often and use them in real questions. Working through problems sticks better than reading the list.
What does the Δ symbol mean?
It means change in. Δθ is a change in temperature and Δv is a change in velocity.
What unit should my answer be in?
Use the unit in the question or the standard unit for that quantity. Convert first if the numbers are in grams, centimeters or minutes.
Final Thoughts
A good physics equation sheet GCSE students can rely on won’t do the thinking for you. But when you know the equations and their units, you can spend your time on the question itself. Check this list against your exam board’s own version, practice a few questions with each formula and you’ll walk into the exam with fewer surprises.
