Physics equations

GCSE & A-level

AQA

All 35 GCSE 8463 equations, plus a core A-level 7408 reference, with what each symbol means and its unit. Switch qualification first; recognising and rearranging the supplied equations is the real skill. Flip on Test yourself to drill recall.

The full AQA GCSE Physics 8463 equation sheet is provided with both papers in 2026; use fluency practice to learn selection and rearrangement, not to memorise the list. A scientific calculator is required for Papers 1 and 2.

(physics only) means this content belongs to AQA GCSE Physics (8463), the separate-science qualification, but not AQA Combined Science: Trilogy (8464). It is not an exam tier: (HT only) separately marks Higher-tier content.

Energy

Kinetic energy On the equation sheet Eₖ (J), m (kg), v (m/s)	Eₖ = ½ m v²
Elastic potential energy On the equation sheet k (N/m), e = extension (m)	Eₑ = ½ k e²
Gravitational potential energy On the equation sheet g (N/kg), h (m)	Eₚ = m g h
Power from energy transferred On the equation sheet P (W), E (J), t (s)	P = E / t
Power from work done On the equation sheet P (W), W (J), t (s)	P = W / t
Efficiency from energy On the equation sheet	efficiency = useful output energy / total input energy
Efficiency from power On the equation sheet	efficiency = useful power output / total power input
Change in thermal energy On the equation sheet c (J/kg°C), Δθ (°C)	ΔE = m c Δθ
Energy for a change of state On the equation sheet L = specific latent heat (J/kg)	E = m L

Electricity

Charge flow On the equation sheet Q (C), I (A), t (s)	Q = I t
Potential difference On the equation sheet V (V), I (A), R (Ω)	V = I R
Electrical power On the equation sheet P (W), V (V), I (A)	P = V I
Electrical power in a resistor On the equation sheet P (W), I (A), R (Ω)	P = I² R
Electrical energy from power On the equation sheet E (J), P (W), t (s)	E = P t
Electrical energy from charge On the equation sheet E (J), Q (C), V (V)	E = Q V
Transformer turns ratio On the equation sheet Physics only V (V), n = number of turns	Vₚ / Vₛ = nₚ / nₛ
Ideal transformer power On the equation sheet V (V), I (A)	Vₚ Iₚ = Vₛ Iₛ

Particle model

Density On the equation sheet ρ (kg/m³), m (kg), V (m³)	ρ = m / V
Gas pressure and volume On the equation sheet Physics only fixed mass of gas at constant temperature	p V = constant

Forces and motion

Weight On the equation sheet W (N), m (kg), g (N/kg)	W = m g
Work done On the equation sheet W (J), F (N), s (m)	W = F s
Force and extension On the equation sheet F (N), k (N/m), e (m)	F = k e
Moment of a force On the equation sheet Physics only d = perpendicular distance (m)	M = F d
Pressure at a surface On the equation sheet Physics only p (Pa), F (N), A (m²)	p = F / A
Distance at constant speed On the equation sheet s (m), v (m/s), t (s)	s = v t
Acceleration On the equation sheet a (m/s²), Δv (m/s), t (s)	a = Δv / t
Resultant force On the equation sheet F (N), m (kg), a (m/s²)	F = m a
Uniform acceleration On the equation sheet u, v (m/s), a (m/s²), s (m)	v² − u² = 2 a s
Momentum On the equation sheet p (kg·m/s), m (kg), v (m/s)	p = m v
Force and change in momentum On the equation sheet Physics only F (N), Δp (kg·m/s), Δt (s)	F = Δp / Δt

Waves

Wave speed On the equation sheet v (m/s), f (Hz), λ (m)	v = f λ
Period and frequency On the equation sheet T (s), f (Hz)	T = 1 / f
Magnification On the equation sheet Physics only image and object height in the same units	magnification = image height / object height

Magnetism and pressure

Force on a conductor On the equation sheet B (T), I (A), l (m), conductor at right angles to field	F = B I l
Pressure in a liquid On the equation sheet Physics only p (Pa), h (m), ρ (kg/m³), g (N/kg)	p = h ρ g

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AQA GCSE Physics flashcards

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