Brainlag PlusThe Edexcel GCSE Physics and Combined Science equation lists in full: the ones to recall, the ones on the formulae sheet, which are Higher tier only and which are Physics only, and the letters Edexcel uses.
Recall these (Edexcel list a)
Edexcel expects you to recall and use these.
In the exam you may be asked to write one down, to use it, or both.
| Quantity | Equation | Units |
|---|---|---|
| distance travelled | distance travelled = average speed × time | m, m/s, s |
| acceleration | a = (v − u) ÷ t | m/s², m/s, s |
| force | F = m × a | N, kg, m/s² |
| weight | W = m × g | N, kg, N/kg |
| momentum (Higher) | p = m × v | kg m/s, kg, m/s |
| change in gravitational potential energy | ΔGPE = m × g × Δh | J, kg, N/kg, m |
| kinetic energy | KE = ½ × m × v² | J, kg, m/s |
| efficiency | useful energy transferred ÷ total energy supplied | no unit, or × 100 for % |
| wave speed | v = f × λ and v = x ÷ t | m/s, Hz, m, s |
| work done | E = F × d | J, N, m |
| power | P = E ÷ t | W, J, s |
| moment of a force (Physics only) | moment = F × d | N m, N, m |
| energy transferred | E = Q × V | J, C, V |
| charge | Q = I × t | C, A, s |
| potential difference | V = I × R | V, A, Ω |
| electrical power | P = I × V and P = I² × R | W, A, V, Ω |
| density | ρ = m ÷ V | kg/m³, kg, m³ |
| force on a spring | F = k × x | N, N/m, m |
| pressure (Physics only) | P = F ÷ A | Pa, N, m² |
Ofqual requires the boards to give an equation sheet in GCSE Physics and Combined Science exams from 2025 for the life of the current specifications (decisions updated 13 Nov 2024 and 5 May 2026). Check the sheet for your own exam series. Knowing which list an equation is on still tells you which ones to know by heart, so you can pick them out quickly.
The rest of this lesson and its 12 practice questions are in Plus.
Screen 1 of 3, free to read.
- 12 exam-style questions, marked as you go, each with a worked solution
- Anything you get wrong is saved to your flashcards