GCSE physics equations sheet
Physics papers reward students who can pull the right equation out instantly and rearrange it without hesitation. Print this sheet, fold the right-hand column under, and write each equation from memory: anything you miss is Thursday's homework. Boards differ slightly in which equations are printed on the exam paper, so have your child check their specification.
Motion and forces
- Speed: v = s / t
- Acceleration: a = (v - u) / t
- Final velocity: v squared = u squared + 2as
- Force: F = ma
- Weight: W = mg
- Momentum: p = mv
- Work done: W = Fs
Energy and power
- Kinetic energy: KE = half m v squared
- Gravitational potential energy: GPE = mg change in h
- Power: P = E / t
- Efficiency = useful output / total input (x 100%)
Electricity
- Charge: Q = It
- Potential difference: V = W / Q
- Ohm's law: V = IR
- Electrical power: P = VI and P = I squared R
- Energy transferred: E = Pt
Matter and waves
- Density: rho = m / V
- Pressure: p = F / A
- Wave speed: v = f x lambda
- Period: T = 1 / f
- Magnification = image size / real size
Tutor tip: Fluency means recall plus rearranging under pressure. If equations are not the issue but applying them is, that is exactly what weekly physics tutoring drills with past-paper questions.