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    How to use the GCSE Physics equation sheet in the exam

    By Engr. Mehmood Kakar · Updated

    Quick answer

    Write down every quantity the question gives you and the one it asks for, with symbols. Then find the equation on the sheet that contains all of them, rearrange it, convert to SI units and substitute. The AQA sheet has all 35 equations, but it gives no units and no value for g, and it won’t tell you which equation a question needs.

    What’s on the sheet

    AQA prints a Physics Equations Sheet as an insert with every GCSE Physics paper and every Combined Science physics paper. For GCSE Physics (8463) it lists 35 equations in topic order, from kinetic energy to transformers. Six are marked HT, which means Higher tier only. In May 2026 Ofqual confirmed that equation sheets will carry on for the lifetime of the current specifications, so this isn’t a temporary arrangement.

    You can see all 35 on our interactive equation sheet, filtered for your tier and course.

    What the sheet leaves out

    • Units. The sheet says "force = spring constant × extension" but not that the spring constant is in N/m and the extension in metres.
    • Constants. There is no value for g. The question tells you what to use.
    • Rearranged versions. Every equation is printed in one form only. If you need the extension, you have to rearrange F = ke yourself.
    • Which equation to use. This is where most marks are lost.

    The four-step method

    1. List what you’re given, with symbols and units, and underline the quantity you’re asked to find.
    2. Find the equation on the sheet that contains all of those quantities and nothing else unknown.
    3. Rearrange so the unknown is on its own (see how to rearrange equations).
    4. Convert to SI units, substitute and give the answer with its unit.

    Worked exam questions

    A kettle transfers 180,000 J of energy in 1.5 minutes. Calculate its power. (3 marks)

    1. Given: E = 180,000 J, t = 1.5 min. Find: P
    2. Equation with E, t and P: P = E ÷ t
    3. Convert: t = 1.5 × 60 = 90 s
    4. P = 180,000 ÷ 90
    5. P = 2000 W

    A force of 2.0 N stretches a spring by 4.0 cm. Calculate the spring constant. (3 marks)

    1. Given: F = 2.0 N, e = 4.0 cm. Find: k
    2. Equation: F = k e, so k = F ÷ e
    3. Convert: e = 4.0 cm = 0.040 m (the sheet won’t remind you)
    4. k = 2.0 ÷ 0.040
    5. k = 50 N/m

    Questions that need two equations

    If no single equation links what you’re given to what you need, find one that gets you a middle quantity first.

    A 60 W lamp runs on 230 V mains. Calculate the charge that flows through it in 1 minute. (4 marks)

    1. Given: P = 60 W, V = 230 V, t = 60 s. Find: Q
    2. Q = I t needs the current, which isn’t given
    3. Step 1: P = V I, so I = P ÷ V = 60 ÷ 230 = 0.2609 A
    4. Step 2: Q = I t = 0.2609 × 60
    5. Q = 15.7 C

    Keep the unrounded current on your calculator for step 2. Rounding it to 0.26 A first gives 15.6 C, which can cost the accuracy mark.

    Symbols that look alike

    The sheet reuses letters, so read the words, not just the symbols:

    • p is pressure in p = F/A but momentum in p = mv.
    • W is weight in W = mg, work done in W = Fs, and also the unit watt.
    • P appears in four equations: P = E/t, P = W/t, P = VI and P = I²R. Pick the one that matches what you’re given.
    • E can be kinetic, potential, thermal or electrical energy. The subscript tells you which.
    • s is distance in s = vt but the unit "seconds" everywhere else.

    Practice

    1. A heater has a power of 2.0 kW and runs for 5.0 minutes. Which equation do you need, and how much energy does it transfer?

    E = P t. Convert: 2000 W and 300 s. E = 2000 × 300 → E = 600,000 J

    2. A car accelerates from rest to 12 m/s in 0.60 minutes. Calculate its acceleration.

    a = Δv ÷ t. Convert: t = 36 s. a = 12 ÷ 36 → a = 0.33 m/s²

    3. A spring with k = 20 N/m is stretched by 5.0 cm. Calculate the elastic potential energy stored.

    Ee = ½ k e². Convert: e = 0.050 m. Ee = 0.5 × 20 × 0.050² → Ee = 0.025 J

    Frequently asked questions

    Do you get an equation sheet in GCSE Physics?

    Yes. AQA gives a Physics Equations Sheet as an insert with each GCSE Physics and Combined Science physics paper, and Ofqual confirmed in May 2026 that equation sheets continue for the lifetime of the current specifications.

    Does the GCSE Physics equation sheet have units on it?

    No. The AQA sheet gives each equation in words and symbols only. You need to know the units yourself, for example that spring constant is in N/m.

    Is the value of g on the equation sheet?

    No. The question gives you the value of gravitational field strength to use, usually 9.8 N/kg.

    Do I still need to learn the equations?

    You don’t need to memorise them, but knowing them well saves time. You will be much quicker if you recognise which equation a question needs without searching the whole sheet.

    Engr. Mehmood Kakar

    Written by Engr. Mehmood Kakar

    Physics educator and engineer (MSc Physics, B.Ed, M.Ed) with 8 years of hands-on teaching, from college students to teacher training. About the author · LinkedIn (opens in a new tab)

    Checked against the AQA GCSE Physics (8463) specification on 14 November 2026.