GCSE Physics equation sheet (interactive)

Every equation from the AQA GCSE Physics (8463) equation sheet, in the same order as the sheet in your exam. I’ve added the units, which the real sheet leaves out. Each one links to a step-by-step solver.

Checked against AQA’s Physics Equations Sheet for June 2027 · Updated 14 November 2026 · Edexcel and OCR use a very similar list.

kinetic energy = 0.5 × mass × (speed)²
E_k = ½ m v²
Units: J, kg, m/sEnergy
Solve: kinetic energy = 0.5 × mass × (speed)²
elastic potential energy = 0.5 × spring constant × (extension)²
E_e = ½ k e²
Units: J, N/m, mEnergy
Solve: elastic potential energy = 0.5 × spring constant × (extension)²
gravitational potential energy = mass × gravitational field strength × height
E_p = m g h
Units: J, kg, N/kg, mEnergy
Solve: gravitational potential energy = mass × gravitational field strength × height
change in thermal energy = mass × specific heat capacity × temperature change
ΔE = m c Δθ
Units: J, kg, J/kg °C, °CEnergy
Solve: change in thermal energy = mass × specific heat capacity × temperature change
power = energy transferred ÷ time
P = E / t
Units: W, J, sEnergy
Solve: power = energy transferred ÷ time
power = work done ÷ time
P = W / t
Units: W, J, sEnergy
Solve: power = work done ÷ time
efficiency = useful output energy transfer ÷ total input energy transfer
efficiency = useful ÷ total (energy)
Units: no unit (or %)Energy
Solve: efficiency = useful output energy transfer ÷ total input energy transfer
efficiency = useful power output ÷ total power input
efficiency = useful ÷ total (power)
Units: no unit (or %)Energy
Solve: efficiency = useful power output ÷ total power input
charge flow = current × time
Q = I t
Units: C, A, sElectricity
Solve: charge flow = current × time
potential difference = current × resistance
V = I R
Units: V, A, ΩElectricity
Solve: potential difference = current × resistance
power = potential difference × current
P = V I
Units: W, V, AElectricity
Solve: power = potential difference × current
power = (current)² × resistance
P = I² R
Units: W, A, ΩElectricity
Solve: power = (current)² × resistance
energy transferred = power × time
E = P t
Units: J, W, sElectricity
Solve: energy transferred = power × time
energy transferred = charge flow × potential difference
E = Q V
Units: J, C, VElectricity
Solve: energy transferred = charge flow × potential difference
density = mass ÷ volume
ρ = m / V
Units: kg/m³, kg, m³Particle model
Solve: density = mass ÷ volume
thermal energy for a change of state = mass × specific latent heat
E = m L
Units: J, kg, J/kgParticle model
Solve: thermal energy for a change of state = mass × specific latent heat
for gases: pressure × volume = constant
p V = constant
Units: Pa, m³Physics onlyParticle model
Solve: for gases: pressure × volume = constant
weight = mass × gravitational field strength
W = m g
Units: N, kg, N/kgForces
Solve: weight = mass × gravitational field strength
work done = force × distance (along the line of action of the force)
W = F s
Units: J, N, mForces
Solve: work done = force × distance (along the line of action of the force)
force = spring constant × extension
F = k e
Units: N, N/m, mForces
Solve: force = spring constant × extension
moment of a force = force × distance (normal to direction of force)
M = F d
Units: N m, N, mPhysics onlyForces
Solve: moment of a force = force × distance (normal to direction of force)
pressure = force normal to a surface ÷ area of that surface
p = F / A
Units: Pa, N, m²Physics onlyForces
Solve: pressure = force normal to a surface ÷ area of that surface
pressure due to a column of liquid = height of column × density of liquid × gravitational field strength
p = h ρ g
Units: Pa, m, kg/m³, N/kgHTPhysics onlyForces
Solve: pressure due to a column of liquid = height of column × density of liquid × gravitational field strength
distance travelled = speed × time
s = v t
Units: m, m/s, sForces
Solve: distance travelled = speed × time
acceleration = change in velocity ÷ time taken
a = Δv / t
Units: m/s², m/s, sForces
Solve: acceleration = change in velocity ÷ time taken
(final velocity)² − (initial velocity)² = 2 × acceleration × distance
v² − u² = 2 a s
Units: m/s, m/s², mForces
Solve: (final velocity)² − (initial velocity)² = 2 × acceleration × distance
resultant force = mass × acceleration
F = m a
Units: N, kg, m/s²Forces
Solve: resultant force = mass × acceleration
momentum = mass × velocity
p = m v
Units: kg m/s, kg, m/sHTForces
Solve: momentum = mass × velocity
force = change in momentum ÷ time taken
F = m Δv / Δt
Units: N, kg, m/s, sHTPhysics onlyForces
Solve: force = change in momentum ÷ time taken
period = 1 ÷ frequency
T = 1 / f
Units: s, HzWaves
Solve: period = 1 ÷ frequency
wave speed = frequency × wavelength
v = f λ
Units: m/s, Hz, mWaves
Solve: wave speed = frequency × wavelength
magnification = image height ÷ object height
magnification = h_i / h_o
Units: no unitPhysics onlyWaves
Solve: magnification = image height ÷ object height
force on a conductor (at right angles to a magnetic field) carrying a current = magnetic flux density × current × length
F = B I l
Units: N, T, A, mHTMagnetism
Solve: force on a conductor (at right angles to a magnetic field) carrying a current = magnetic flux density × current × length
p.d. across primary coil ÷ p.d. across secondary coil = turns on primary coil ÷ turns on secondary coil
V_p / V_s = n_p / n_s
Units: V, turnsHTPhysics onlyMagnetism
Solve: p.d. across primary coil ÷ p.d. across secondary coil = turns on primary coil ÷ turns on secondary coil
p.d. across primary × current in primary = p.d. across secondary × current in secondary
V_p I_p = V_s I_s
Units: V, AHTPhysics onlyMagnetism
Solve: p.d. across primary × current in primary = p.d. across secondary × current in secondary

Also on SolvedPhysics (not numbered on the sheet)

R = R₁ + R₂ — total resistance in series = sum of the resistances · In the specification but not a numbered sheet equation
1/R = 1/R₁ + 1/R₂ — resistors in parallel · A-level and some GCSE courses; AQA GCSE treats parallel qualitatively
A = A₀ × (½)ⁿ — half-life: activity after n half-lives · Calculated by halving, not from a sheet equation

How to use the equation sheet in the exam

The sheet saves you memorising, but it won’t pick the equation for you. Write down the quantities the question gives you and the one it asks for, then find the equation that links them. Our guide to using the equation sheet works through this with exam questions, and the equation finder on the homepage does the matching for you.

Frequently asked questions

Is the equation sheet given in the GCSE Physics exam?

Yes. AQA gives the Physics Equations Sheet as an insert with every GCSE Physics and Combined Science physics paper. Ofqual confirmed on 5 May 2026 that equation sheets continue for the lifetime of the current specifications.

How many equations are on the AQA GCSE Physics equation sheet?

The GCSE Physics (8463) sheet has 35 equations. Six are marked HT, meaning Higher tier only.

Does the equation sheet give units?

No. The AQA sheet gives each equation in words and symbols but not the units, so you still need to know them. This page lists the units next to every equation.

Which equations are GCSE Physics only?

If you take Combined Science: Trilogy, you won’t need pV = constant, moments, p = F/A, p = hρg, force and change in momentum, magnification or the two transformer equations. Use the "Combined Science" filter to hide them.

What is the value of g in GCSE Physics?

The sheet gives no value for g. The question tells you which value to use, usually 9.8 N/kg.

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.