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VCE Physics formula sheet: every equation, and what to put on your own notes

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Formula sheet

The card below opens today's Year 12 Physics paper with the sheet in a drawer. The contents follow in our own layout. The VCAA publishes the sheet as "Physics Formula Sheet" in its February 2026 update, so check any line against the VCAA Physics pages before you rely on it.

Formula sheet

Year 12 Physics

Open formula sheet
v=\frac{\Delta s}{\Delta t};\quad a=\frac{\Delta v}{\Delta t}velocity and acceleration
v=u+atconstant acceleration: velocity
s=ut+\frac{1}{2}at^2constant acceleration: displacement
s=vt-\frac{1}{2}at^2constant acceleration: displacement from final velocity
v^2=u^2+2asconstant acceleration: velocity and displacement
s=\frac{1}{2}(u+v)tconstant acceleration: average velocity
\Sigma F=maNewton's second law
F_{net}=\frac{mv^2}{r};\quad v=\frac{2\pi r}{T}uniform circular motion
F=-kxHooke's law
E_s=\frac{1}{2}kx^2elastic potential energy
E_g=mg\Delta hgravitational potential energy
E_k=\frac{1}{2}mv^2kinetic energy
F_g=G\frac{m_1m_2}{r^2}Newton's law of universal gravitation
g=G\frac{M}{r^2}gravitational field
F\Delta t=m\Delta vimpulse
p=mvmomentum

Einstein's special theory of relativity

\gamma=\frac{1}{\sqrt{1-\frac{v^2}{c^2}}}Lorentz factor
t=\gamma t_0time dilation
L=\frac{L_0}{\gamma}length contraction
E_0=mc^2relativistic rest energy
E_{total}=E_k+E_0=\gamma mc^2relativistic total energy
E_k=(\gamma-1)mc^2relativistic kinetic energy

Fields and application of field concepts

E=\frac{V}{d}uniform electric field between charged plates
\frac{1}{2}mv^2=qVenergy transformations of charges in an electric field
E=k\frac{Q}{r^2}field of a point charge
F=qEelectric force on a charged particle
F=k\frac{q_1q_2}{r^2}Coulomb's law
F=qvBmagnetic force on a moving charge
F=nIlBmagnetic force on a current-carrying conductor
r=\frac{mv}{qB}radius of a charged particle in a uniform magnetic field

Generation and transmission of electricity

I=\frac{V}{R};\quad P=VIcurrent and power
R_T=R_1+R_2+\ldotsresistors in series
\frac{1}{R_T}=\frac{1}{R_1}+\frac{1}{R_2}+\ldotsresistors in parallel
\frac{N_1}{N_2}=\frac{V_1}{V_2}=\frac{I_2}{I_1}ideal transformer action
V_{RMS}=\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}V_{peak};\quad I_{RMS}=\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}I_{peak}AC voltage and current
\varepsilon=-N\frac{\Delta\Phi_B}{\Delta t};\quad\Phi_B=B_{\perp}Aelectromagnetic induction
V_{drop}=I_{line}R_{line};\quad P_{loss}=I_{line}^2R_{line}transmission losses

Waves

v=f\lambdawave equation
\text{path difference}=n\lambdaconstructive interference
\text{path difference}=\left(n+\frac{1}{2}\right)\lambdadestructive interference
\Delta x=\frac{\lambda L}{d}interference pattern spacing, when L is much greater than d

The nature of light and matter

E_{k\ max}=hf-\phiphotoelectric effect
E=hf=\frac{hc}{\lambda}photon energy
p=\frac{h}{\lambda}photon momentum
\lambda=\frac{h}{p}de Broglie wavelength

Data

QuantitySymbolValueUnit
acceleration due to gravity at Earth's surfaceg9.81m s⁻²
mass of the electronme9.11×10⁻³¹kg
magnitude of the charge of the electronqe1.60×10⁻¹⁹C
Planck's constanth6.63×10⁻³⁴J s (4.14 × 10⁻¹⁵ eV s)
speed of light in a vacuumc3.00×10⁸m s⁻¹
universal gravitational constantG6.67×10⁻¹¹N m² kg⁻²
mass of EarthME5.97×10²⁴kg
radius of EarthRE6.37×10⁶m
Coulomb constantk8.99×10⁹N m² C⁻²

Metric (SI) multipliers

SymbolMultiplierSymbolMultiplier
p = pico10⁻¹²m = milli10⁻³
n = nano10⁻⁹k = kilo10³
μ = micro10⁻⁶M = mega10⁶
G = giga10⁹T = tera10¹²

Unit conversions

UnitValue
1 tonne (t)10³ kg
1 kilowatt hour (kW h)3.6 × 10⁶ J

Nomenclature

QuantitySymbol
force due to gravityF_g
terminology for forceF on A by B
normal forceF_N

How the exam works with the sheet

The VCAA's 2025 Physics examination cover lists the following, and you get the formula sheet in the exam:

ItemDetail
Reading time15 minutes
Writing time2 hours 30 minutes
Approved materialsOne scientific calculator, and pre-written notes: one folded A3 sheet or two A4 sheets bound together by tape
SuppliedThe question and answer book, the formula sheet and a multiple-choice answer sheet
Section A20 multiple-choice questions, 20 marks
Section B19 questions, 100 marks

The notes rule is the biggest difference from Chemistry. Because the sheet already lists the equations, your notes are for what it lacks. Compare the QCE Physics sheet guide, the SACE sheet guide and the VCE Physics guide for the course itself.

What is not on the VCE Physics formula sheet

  • Heat and thermal physics. There are no heating or change-of-state equations.
  • Energy levels and the Rydberg formula. Photon energy is given, but not the energy-level equations for hydrogen.
  • Conservation of momentum and energy in collisions. Only the impulse and momentum lines are given.
  • Torque and rotational motion. Not on the sheet.
  • Radioactive decay. No half-life or activity equation.
  • Angles in force formulas. F = qvB and F = nIlB are written without sin θ, so they apply when the field is perpendicular.
  • Refraction and Snell's law. Light is covered through interference and the photoelectric effect.

How to use the sheet in the exam

  1. During reading time, scan the sheet headings and find the section for each question.
  2. Write the equation, then the substitution, then the answer with a unit and the right number of significant figures.
  3. Take the constants from the Data section: g is 9.81 m s⁻², c is 3.00 × 10⁸ m s⁻¹ and h is 6.63 × 10⁻³⁴ J s or 4.14 × 10⁻¹⁵ eV s.
  4. Convert first: kW h to J using 3.6 × 10⁶, and tonnes to kilograms.

Example 1: transmission losses

A power station sends 50 kW along a line of resistance 4 Ω. At 10 kV the current is 50 000 ÷ 10 000 = 5 A, and the loss line gives:

P_{loss}=I_{line}^2R_{line}=5^2\times4=100\ \text{W}

At 1 kV the current is 50 A and the loss is 50² × 4 = 10 000 W. Raising the voltage by a factor of 10 cuts the loss by a factor of 100, which is why transformers step up the voltage for long lines.

Example 2: time dilation

A particle travels at 0.80c and its own clock records 2.0 μs. The Lorentz factor and time dilation lines give:

\gamma=\frac{1}{\sqrt{1-0.80^2}}=\frac{1}{0.60}=1.67,\qquad t=\gamma t_0=1.67\times2.0=3.3\ \mu\text{s}

The time of 2.0 μs is t₀, the time measured in the frame where the clock is at rest.

Example 3: the photoelectric effect

Light of wavelength 300 nm falls on a metal with a work function of 2.30 eV. With h in electron volts from the Data section:

E=\frac{hc}{\lambda}=\frac{4.14\times10^{-15}\times3.00\times10^{8}}{300\times10^{-9}}=4.14\ \text{eV},\quad E_{k\ max}=4.14-2.30=1.84\ \text{eV}

Using the electron volt value of h avoids converting to joules and back.

Example 4: an interference pattern

Light of wavelength 650 nm passes through two slits 0.50 mm apart onto a screen 2.0 m away. Since L is much larger than d, the spacing line gives:

\Delta x=\frac{\lambda L}{d}=\frac{650\times10^{-9}\times2.0}{0.50\times10^{-3}}=2.6\times10^{-3}\ \text{m}

The fringes are 2.6 mm apart. Practise circuits and fields in the Electricity course.

Practise with the sheet open

Our Year 12 Physics daily paper is a short timed paper of 8 questions worth 25 to 35 marks. It is not a VCAA paper. Sit it as a short mock with the sheet in the drawer and your own notes beside it. Year 11 Physics covers earlier topics.

Exam answers

The answers and a worked mark scheme come with today's paper once it is marked. They show which line of the sheet each question wanted. We do not publish official answers, past paper answers or leaked papers.

Common questions

Do you get a formula sheet in VCE Physics?
Yes. The VCAA supplies a formula sheet with the Physics examination.
Can I bring notes into the VCE Physics exam?
In 2025 the cover allowed pre-written notes on one folded A3 sheet or two A4 sheets bound together by tape, plus one scientific calculator.
How long is the VCE Physics exam?
Fifteen minutes of reading time and 2 hours 30 minutes of writing time. Section A has 20 marks and Section B has 100.
Are resistor and transformer equations on the sheet?
Yes: resistors in series and parallel, and ideal transformer action.
What value of g does the sheet use?
9.81 m s⁻².

Revision cards

Say the answer first, then flip the card to check it.

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