The OCR equations: recall and the equation sheet

Recall these (OCR)

OCR writes its equations in words.

Learn the words: they tell you which quantities each equation links. The symbols are the usual ones; if a paper uses other letters, go by the words.

Word equation	Symbols	Units
force = mass × acceleration	F = m a	N, kg, m/s²
kinetic energy = 0.5 × mass × (speed)²	KE = ½ m v²	J, kg, m/s
momentum = mass × velocity (Higher)	p = m v	kg m/s, kg, m/s
work done = force × distance (along the line of action of the force)	W = F d	J, N, m
power = work done ÷ time	P = W ÷ t	W, J, s
efficiency = output energy transfer ÷ input energy transfer (the useful output)	no symbol	no unit, or × 100 for %
gravity force = mass × gravitational field strength	W = m g	N, kg, N/kg
in a gravity field: potential energy = mass × height × gravitational field strength	PE = m h g	J, kg, m, N/kg
force exerted by a spring = extension × spring constant	F = k x	N, m, N/m
moment of a force = force × distance (normal to the direction of the force) (Physics A only)	M = F d	N m, N, m
distance travelled = speed × time	s = v t	m, m/s, s
acceleration = change in velocity ÷ time	a = Δv ÷ t	m/s², m/s, s
wave speed = frequency × wavelength	v = f λ	m/s, Hz, m
charge flow = current × time	Q = I t	C, A, s
potential difference = current × resistance	V = I R	V, A, Ω
power = potential difference × current = (current)² × resistance	P = V I = I² R	W, V, A, Ω
energy transferred = power × time = charge flow × potential difference	E = P t = Q V	J, W, s, C, V
density = mass ÷ volume	ρ = m ÷ V	kg/m³, kg, m³
pressure = force normal to a surface ÷ area of that surface (Physics A only)	p = F ÷ A	Pa, N, m²

This recall list is the one in the national subject content that the OCR Gateway specifications are built on; check your board's published list for its exact wording.

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.