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CCEA GCSE Physics equation sheet: what CCEA gives and the equations to recall

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Formula sheet

Press the card to sit today's Physics paper with the recall list in the drawer, as revision. CCEA does not print this list in the papers, so use it to learn, then close it. The wording comes from the learning outcomes in the specification.

Formula sheet

GCSE Physics Foundation

Open formula sheet

Motion

v=\frac{s}{t}average speed = distance moved ÷ time taken
v=\frac{u+v}{2}average speed = (initial speed + final speed) ÷ 2
a=\frac{v-u}{t}acceleration = (final velocity − initial velocity) ÷ time taken

Forces

F=maresultant force = mass × acceleration
W=mgweight = mass × gravitational field strength
F=keforce = spring constant × extension
P=\frac{F}{A}pressure = force ÷ area
M=Fdmoment = force × perpendicular distance from the pivot
\rho=\frac{m}{V}density = mass ÷ volume

Energy and power

\text{efficiency}=\frac{\text{useful output energy}}{\text{total input energy}}efficiency = useful output energy ÷ total input energy
W=Fdwork = force × distance
P=\frac{E}{t}power = energy transferred ÷ time taken
P=\frac{W}{t}power = work done ÷ time taken
E_k=\frac{1}{2}mv^2kinetic energy = ½ × mass × speed²
E_p=mghgravitational potential energy, with g given as 10 N/kg

Waves, electricity and transformers

v=f\lambdawave speed = frequency × wavelength
Q=Itcharge = current × time
V=IRvoltage = current × resistance
E=Ptenergy = power × time
P=IVpower = current × voltage
\frac{N_S}{N_P}=\frac{V_S}{V_P}transformer turns ratio, for a 100% efficient transformer

What the specification and papers say

The CCEA GCSE Physics specification (first teaching September 2017) phrases each equation as something to recall and use. The Double Award Physics Unit P1 papers, Foundation on 22 May 2025 and Higher on 28 February 2025, mention no formula page, data leaflet or equation sheet in their instructions, unlike the chemistry papers, which say a Data Leaflet is included. The sources here are Double Award papers, so check the instructions on your own paper.

How the specification words it

Most learning outcomes begin "recall and use the equation", for example for force and acceleration, pressure, density and wave speed. A few say "recall the equation" or "use the equation": W = mg is "use", and power = current × voltage is "recall" and apply to choosing a fuse. For gravitational potential energy the specification gives g as 10 N/kg. For the transformer it says to treat transformers as 100% efficient so that input power equals output power, and to use the turns-ratio equation.

Practise choosing and recalling the equation in our Laws of Motion course, then press Mark to check it there:

Choose the equation of motion that solves each problem.

Press Mark to have your answer marked in the Laws of Motion course.

Worked example: moments on a gate

A force of 80 N is applied at right angles 0.45 m from the hinge of a gate.

M=Fd=80\times0.45=36\ \text{N m}

Worked example: average speed from two speeds

A cyclist speeds up from 4.0 m/s to 10 m/s. The specification gives average speed as (initial speed + final speed) ÷ 2, for uniform acceleration.

v=\frac{4.0+10}{2}=7.0\ \text{m/s}

Worked example: a transformer with the turns ratio

A transformer has 500 turns on the primary coil and 50 on the secondary. The input is 230 V. Use N_S ÷ N_P = V_S ÷ V_P.

V_S=230\times\frac{50}{500}=23\ \text{V}

Learning the list

  • Group them as the table does: motion, forces, energy, then electricity, waves and transformers.
  • Write each in words first, then as a symbol line, so you can recall either.
  • Practise rearranging each one for all three unknowns.

Compared with England

AQA, Edexcel and OCR give an equation sheet with their papers. See our AQA GCSE Physics equation sheet. If you sit CCEA CCEA's Physics papers do not give that help. Boards, dates and boundaries are in the GCSE Physics guide.

Practising

Try the daily Foundation or Higher paper with the list closed. It has 8 questions worth 25 to 35 marks and is not a CCEA paper.

Exam answers

After marking, today's paper shows worked answers and a mark scheme. They are ours, and we publish nothing official from CCEA.

Common questions

Does CCEA GCSE Physics give an equation sheet?
None appears in CCEA's Double Award Unit P1 papers for 2025, and the specification tells students to recall the equations.
Is g given in CCEA Physics?
For gravitational potential energy the specification says g is 10 N/kg.
Do I need the transformer equation?
Yes, in the standalone GCSE Physics specification, which uses the turns ratio for 100% efficient transformers.
Where do the equations come from?
From the learning outcomes in the CCEA GCSE Physics specification, which says to recall and use them.
Is this list the same for Double Award?
Close, but not identical: see our Double Award guide.

Revision cards

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

Where to go next

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