Select your exam board and level to generate a personalised equation sheet. Download as PDF for offline revision.
| Name | Formula | Description | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kinetic Energy | KE = ½mv² | Energy of a moving object J = kg × (m/s)² | Memorise |
| Gravitational Potential Energy | GPE = mgh | Energy stored due to height J = kg × N/kg × m | Memorise |
| Power | P = E ÷ t | Rate of energy transfer W = J/s | Given |
| Power (Work Done) | P = W ÷ t | Rate of doing work W = J/s | Given |
| Work Done | W = Fd | Energy transferred by a force J = N × m | Given |
| Efficiency | η = useful output ÷ total input | Ratio of useful energy to total energy No units (or %) | Given |
| Specific Heat Capacity | E = mcΔθ | Energy to change temperature J = kg × J/kg°C × °C | Given |
| Specific Latent Heat | E = mL | Energy to change state J = kg × J/kg | Given |
| Elastic Potential Energy | EPE = ½ke² | Energy stored in a spring J = N/m × m² | Memorise |
| Name | Formula | Description | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | W = mg | Force due to gravity N = kg × N/kg | Given |
| Force (Newton's 2nd Law) | F = ma | Force equals mass times acceleration N = kg × m/s² | Given |
| Momentum | p = mv | Mass in motion kg m/s = kg × m/s | Given |
| Force & Momentum | F = Δp ÷ t | Force from momentum change N = kg m/s ÷ s | Memorise |
| Speed | v = d ÷ t | Distance covered per unit time m/s = m/s | Given |
| Acceleration | a = Δv ÷ t | Rate of change of velocity m/s² = m/s ÷ s | Given |
| SUVAT Equation 1 | v² = u² + 2as | Final velocity squared (m/s)² = (m/s)² + m/s² × m | Memorise |
| Hooke's Law | F = ke | Force to extend a spring N = N/m × m | Given |
| Pressure | p = F ÷ A | Force per unit area Pa = N/m² | Given |
| Pressure in Fluids | p = ρgh | Pressure at depth in a fluid Pa = kg/m³ × N/kg × m | Memorise |
| Moment | M = Fd | Turning effect of a force Nm = N × m | Given |
| Name | Formula | Description | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wave Speed | v = fλ | Speed of a wave m/s = Hz × m | Given |
| Wave Speed (Distance) | v = d ÷ t | Wave speed from distance and time m/s = m/s | Given |
| Period | T = 1 ÷ f | Time for one complete wave s = 1/Hz | Given |
| Magnification | M = image height ÷ object height | How much larger the image is No units | Given |
| Name | Formula | Description | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charge | Q = It | Charge flow C = A × s | Given |
| Potential Difference | V = IR | Ohm's Law V = A × Ω | Given |
| Power (Current × Voltage) | P = IV | Electrical power W = A × V | Given |
| Power (Current²) | P = I²R | Power dissipated in a resistor W = A² × Ω | Given |
| Energy Transferred | E = QV | Energy from charge and voltage J = C × V | Given |
| Energy (Power) | E = Pt | Energy from power and time J = W × s | Given |
| Resistance (Series) | R_total = R₁ + R₂ + ... | Total resistance in series Ω = Ω + Ω | Given |
| Resistance (Parallel) | 1/R_total = 1/R₁ + 1/R₂ + ... | Total resistance in parallel 1/Ω = 1/Ω + 1/Ω | Given |
| Name | Formula | Description | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transformer Equation | V_p/V_s = n_p/n_s | Voltage ratio equals turns ratio V/V = turns/turns | Given |
| Transformer Power | V_p × I_p = V_s × I_s | Power in = Power out (ideal) W = W | Given |
| Force on Conductor | F = BIl | Force on current-carrying wire N = T × A × m | Memorise |
| Name | Formula | Description | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Density | ρ = m ÷ V | Mass per unit volume kg/m³ = kg/m³ | Given |
| Gas Pressure | pV = constant | Boyle's Law (constant temp) Pa × m³ | Given |
| Pressure & Temperature | p₁/T₁ = p₂/T₂ | Pressure-temperature relationship Pa/K | Memorise |
| Name | Formula | Description | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Half-life | N = N₀ × (½)^(t/t_half) | Radioactive decay atoms | Memorise |
| Activity | A = λN | Rate of decay Bq = 1/s × atoms | Memorise |
| Name | Formula | Description | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orbital Speed | v = 2πr ÷ T | Speed in circular orbit m/s = m/s | Memorise |
List all the quantities given in the question with their units. This helps you find the right equation.
Convert all values to SI units before substituting. Common conversions: km → m, g → kg, kW → W.
Rearrange the equation to make your unknown the subject before substituting numbers.
Always show your equation, substitution, and calculation steps. You can earn marks even with wrong answers.
For GCSE Physics, you need to memorise equations not provided in the exam formula sheet. Key equations to learn include: KE = ½mv², GPE = mgh, v² = u² + 2as, p = ρgh, and F = BIl. The exact list varies by exam board - always check your specification.
No, only some equations are provided on the formula sheet during exams. At GCSE, approximately half need to be memorised. At A-Level, a more comprehensive formula sheet is provided, but you still need to understand how to apply each equation correctly.
A-Level physics includes more advanced equations involving calculus concepts, vectors, and topics like quantum physics, fields (gravitational and electric), simple harmonic motion, and thermodynamics. GCSE covers fundamental concepts at a more accessible level.
Practice using equations in context rather than rote memorisation. Understand what each symbol represents and the units involved. Solve lots of practice problems, use flashcards, and regularly write out equations. Understanding the physics behind each equation helps retention.
The most commonly tested equations include: F = ma (Newton's second law), v = fλ (wave equation), V = IR (Ohm's law), P = IV (electrical power), KE = ½mv², and GPE = mgh. These fundamental equations appear across all exam boards.
Common symbols include: m (mass), v (velocity), a (acceleration), F (force), E (energy), P (power), t (time), λ (wavelength), f (frequency), V (voltage), I (current), R (resistance). This equation sheet includes descriptions and units for each.
Identify what quantities you're given and what you need to find. List the known values with their units, then find an equation that links these quantities. Check units are consistent and substitute values carefully.
The core physics equations are the same across all exam boards as they're based on the same physics principles. However, the specific equations you need to memorise vs those given in the exam may differ slightly between boards.
Use our AI-powered Genie to practice physics calculations with instant feedback and step-by-step solutions.