Formula sheets
Given in the exam, 2026 and 2027
GCSE Physics equations sheet
Every equation for GCSE Physics, grouped by topic. Combined Science’s sheet leaves out a few that are only in separate Physics.
Energy
- kinetic energy = 0.5 × mass × (speed)²Eₖ = ½ m v²
- elastic potential energy = 0.5 × spring constant × (extension)²Eₑ = ½ k e²
- gravitational potential energy = mass × gravitational field strength × heightEₚ = m g h
- change in thermal energy = mass × specific heat capacity × temperature changeΔE = m c Δθ
- power = energy transferred ÷ timeP = E ⁄ t
- power = work done ÷ timeP = W ⁄ t
- efficiency = useful output energy transfer ÷ total input energy transfer
- efficiency = useful power output ÷ total power input
Electricity
- charge flow = current × timeQ = I t
- potential difference = current × resistanceV = I R
- power = potential difference × currentP = V I
- power = (current)² × resistanceP = I² R
- energy transferred = power × timeE = P t
- energy transferred = charge flow × potential differenceE = Q V
Particle model
- density = mass ÷ volumeρ = m ⁄ V
- thermal energy for a change of state = mass × specific latent heatE = m L
- for gases: pressure × volume = constantp V = constant
Forces and motion
- weight = mass × gravitational field strengthW = m g
- work done = force × distance (along the line of action of the force)W = F s
- force = spring constant × extensionF = k e
- moment of a force = force × distance (normal to the direction of the force)M = F d
- pressure = force normal to a surface ÷ area of that surfacep = F ⁄ A
- pressure due to a column of liquid = height of column × density of liquid × gravitational field strengthp = h ρ gHigher tier only
- distance travelled = speed × times = v t
- acceleration = change in velocity ÷ time takena = Δv ⁄ t
- (final velocity)² − (initial velocity)² = 2 × acceleration × distancev² − u² = 2 a s
- resultant force = mass × accelerationF = m a
- momentum = mass × velocityp = m vHigher tier only
- force = change in momentum ÷ time takenF = m Δv ⁄ ΔtHigher tier only
Waves
- period = 1 ÷ frequencyT = 1 ⁄ f
- wave speed = frequency × wavelengthv = f λ
- magnification = image height ÷ object height
Magnetism and electromagnetism
- force on a conductor (at right angles to a magnetic field) carrying a current = magnetic flux density × current × lengthF = B I lHigher tier only
- p.d. across primary coil ÷ p.d. across secondary coil = turns on primary coil ÷ turns on secondary coilVₚ ⁄ Vₛ = nₚ ⁄ nₛHigher tier only
- p.d. across primary coil × current in primary coil = p.d. across secondary coil × current in secondary coilVₚ Iₚ = Vₛ IₛHigher tier only
Not on the sheet: the units
- Energy in joules (J), power in watts (W)
- Charge (C), current (A), potential difference (V), resistance (Ω)
- Mass in kg, density in kg/m³, pressure in Pa
- Speed in m/s, acceleration in m/s²
- Time in seconds
Questions people ask
- Do you get an equation sheet in GCSE Physics?
- Yes. For exams in 2025, 2026 and 2027, GCSE Physics and Combined Science papers come with an equations sheet.
- Does the sheet give the units?
- No. You need to know the units, and to convert them (for example grams to kilograms) before you use an equation.