GCSE Physics
Physics Equations
Equation Symbol
Word equation
number equation
1 weight = mass × gravitational field strength W=mg
2 work done = force × distance along the line of action of the force W=Fs
3 force applied to a spring = spring constant × extension F=ke
4 moment of a force = force × distance normal to direction of force M=Fd
pressure=force normal ¿ a surface ¿ F
5 p=
area of that surface A
6 distance travelled = speed × time s=vt
change∈ velocity Δv
7 acceleration= a=
timetaken t
8 resultant force = mass × acceleration F=ma
9 HT momentum = mass × velocity p=mv
1 2
10 kinetic energy = 0.5 × mass × (speed)2 E k= m v
2
gravitational potential energy
11
= mass × gravitational field strength (g) × height
Ep = m g h
energy transferred E
12 power= P=
time t
work done W
13 power= P=
time t
useful output energy transfer
14 efficiecy =
total input energy transfer
total power output
15 efficiecy =
total power input
16 wave speed = frequency × wavelength v=fλ
17 charge flow = current × time Q=It
18 potential difference = current × resistance V=IR
19 power = potential difference × current P=VI
20 power = (current)2 × resistance P = I2 R
21 energy transferred = power × time E=Pt
22 energy transferred = charge flow × potential difference E=QV
mass m
23 density = ρ=
volume V
You should be able to remember and apply the following equations. Make sure you also know the
standard (SI) units for all quantities (e.g. mass is always in kg).
GCSE Physics
Physics Equations – equations sheet
The following equations do not need to be memorised. You should be able to select and apply them
from the Physics equation sheet. Make sure you also know the standard (SI) units for all quantities
(e.g. mass is always in kg).
Equation Symbol
Word equation
number equation
pressure due to a column of liquid =
1 HT
height of column × density of liquid × gravitational field strength g
p=hρg
2 (final velocity)2 – (initial velocity)2 = 2 × acceleration × distance v2 – u 2 = 2 a s
change∈momentum mΔv
3 HT force= F=
time taken Δt
1 2
4 elastic potential energy = 0.5 × spring constant × (extension)2 Ee = k e
2
change in thermal energy =
5
mass × specific heat capacity × temperature change
ΔE=mcΔθ
1 1
6 period= T=
frequency f
image height
7 magnification=
object height
force on a conductor (at right angles to a magnetic field) carrying a current
8 HT
= magnetic flux density × current × length
F=BIl
9 thermal energy for a change of state = mass × specific latent heat E=mL
potential difference across primary coil V p np
number of turns∈ primary coil
10 HT = =
potential difference across secondary coil number of turns∈ secondaryVcoil
s ns
potential difference across primary coil × current in primary coil
11 HT
= potential difference across secondary coil × current in secondary coil
Vs Is = Vp Ip
pV =
12 For gases: pressure × volume = constant
constant