11-13-2025, 01:34 PM
Physics Formula Sheet — Complete GCSE Reference
A clear, simple list of the most important physics formulas.
Perfect for GCSE revision, A-Level foundations, and Challenge Arena problems.
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1. Motion (Speed, Distance, Time)
v = d / t
• v = speed (m/s)
• d = distance (m)
• t = time (s)
Conversions:
• km/h → m/s = ÷ 3.6
• m/s → km/h = × 3.6
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2. Acceleration & Velocity
a = (v − u) / t
• a = acceleration (m/s²)
• u = initial velocity
• v = final velocity
• t = time
v = u + at
s = ut + ½at²
v² = u² + 2as
(These are the SUVAT equations for constant acceleration.)
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3. Force, Mass, and Acceleration
F = ma
• F = force (N)
• m = mass (kg)
• a = acceleration (m/s²)
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4. Weight
W = mg
• W = weight (N)
• m = mass (kg)
• g = 9.8 m/s² (approx. GCSE uses 10)
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5. Work Done
W = Fd
• W = work (J)
• F = force (N)
• d = distance (m)
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6. Energy (Kinetic & Potential)
Kinetic Energy:
Ek = ½mv²
Gravitational Potential Energy:
Ep = mgh
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7. Power
P = E / t
• E = energy (J)
• t = time (s)
P = W / t is also used.
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8. Density
ρ = m / V
• ρ = density (kg/m³)
• m = mass (kg)
• V = volume (m³)
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9. Pressure
p = F / A
• p = pressure (Pa)
• F = force (N)
• A = area (m²)
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10. Efficiency
efficiency = useful output energy ÷ total input energy
Often written as a percentage:
× 100%
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11. Specific Heat Capacity
E = mcΔT
• E = energy (J)
• m = mass (kg)
• c = specific heat capacity (J/kg°C)
• ΔT = temperature change (°C)
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12. Waves
v = fλ
• v = wave speed (m/s)
• f = frequency (Hz)
• λ = wavelength (m)
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13. Electricity — Current, Charge, Time
Q = It
• Q = charge ©
• I = current (A)
• t = time (s)
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14. Voltage, Current, Resistance
V = IR
• V = voltage (volts)
• I = current (amps)
• R = resistance (ohms)
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15. Electrical Power
P = IV
P = I²R
P = V² / R
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16. Electrical Energy
E = Pt
E = IVt
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17. Momentum
p = mv
• p = momentum (kg·m/s)
Conservation of momentum:
total momentum before = total momentum after
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18. Hooke’s Law
F = kx
• k = spring constant
• x = extension
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19. Common GCSE Mistakes
❌ Mixing up speed & acceleration
✔ check units: m/s vs m/s²
❌ Using °C in physics equations
✔ only use Kelvin for gas laws
❌ Forgetting to convert time to seconds
✔ ALWAYS convert before calculating
❌ Using wrong units (cm instead of m)
✔ SI units only
❌ Using SUVAT equations for non-constant acceleration
✔ only use when acceleration is constant
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Summary
Memorise these key formulas:
• v = d/t
• a = (v − u)/t
• F = ma
• W = Fd
• Ek = ½mv²
• Ep = mgh
• p = mv
• V = IR
• v = fλ
These are the backbone of GCSE physics and the starting point for A-Level and scientific modelling.
A clear, simple list of the most important physics formulas.
Perfect for GCSE revision, A-Level foundations, and Challenge Arena problems.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Motion (Speed, Distance, Time)
v = d / t
• v = speed (m/s)
• d = distance (m)
• t = time (s)
Conversions:
• km/h → m/s = ÷ 3.6
• m/s → km/h = × 3.6
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Acceleration & Velocity
a = (v − u) / t
• a = acceleration (m/s²)
• u = initial velocity
• v = final velocity
• t = time
v = u + at
s = ut + ½at²
v² = u² + 2as
(These are the SUVAT equations for constant acceleration.)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
3. Force, Mass, and Acceleration
F = ma
• F = force (N)
• m = mass (kg)
• a = acceleration (m/s²)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
4. Weight
W = mg
• W = weight (N)
• m = mass (kg)
• g = 9.8 m/s² (approx. GCSE uses 10)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
5. Work Done
W = Fd
• W = work (J)
• F = force (N)
• d = distance (m)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
6. Energy (Kinetic & Potential)
Kinetic Energy:
Ek = ½mv²
Gravitational Potential Energy:
Ep = mgh
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
7. Power
P = E / t
• E = energy (J)
• t = time (s)
P = W / t is also used.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
8. Density
ρ = m / V
• ρ = density (kg/m³)
• m = mass (kg)
• V = volume (m³)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
9. Pressure
p = F / A
• p = pressure (Pa)
• F = force (N)
• A = area (m²)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
10. Efficiency
efficiency = useful output energy ÷ total input energy
Often written as a percentage:
× 100%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
11. Specific Heat Capacity
E = mcΔT
• E = energy (J)
• m = mass (kg)
• c = specific heat capacity (J/kg°C)
• ΔT = temperature change (°C)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
12. Waves
v = fλ
• v = wave speed (m/s)
• f = frequency (Hz)
• λ = wavelength (m)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
13. Electricity — Current, Charge, Time
Q = It
• Q = charge ©
• I = current (A)
• t = time (s)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
14. Voltage, Current, Resistance
V = IR
• V = voltage (volts)
• I = current (amps)
• R = resistance (ohms)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
15. Electrical Power
P = IV
P = I²R
P = V² / R
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
16. Electrical Energy
E = Pt
E = IVt
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
17. Momentum
p = mv
• p = momentum (kg·m/s)
Conservation of momentum:
total momentum before = total momentum after
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
18. Hooke’s Law
F = kx
• k = spring constant
• x = extension
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
19. Common GCSE Mistakes
❌ Mixing up speed & acceleration
✔ check units: m/s vs m/s²
❌ Using °C in physics equations
✔ only use Kelvin for gas laws
❌ Forgetting to convert time to seconds
✔ ALWAYS convert before calculating
❌ Using wrong units (cm instead of m)
✔ SI units only
❌ Using SUVAT equations for non-constant acceleration
✔ only use when acceleration is constant
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary
Memorise these key formulas:
• v = d/t
• a = (v − u)/t
• F = ma
• W = Fd
• Ek = ½mv²
• Ep = mgh
• p = mv
• V = IR
• v = fλ
These are the backbone of GCSE physics and the starting point for A-Level and scientific modelling.