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Edexcel GCSE Physics equation sheet (1PH0): every equation and how to use it

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Formula sheet

Pearson calls this the Equations List, and one document serves GCSE Physics and Combined Science (Physics). Press the card to sit today's paper with it in the drawer. What follows is the May to June 2024 list, which Pearson says matches 2025, so look for your own series on Pearson's page.

Formula sheet

GCSE Physics Foundation

Open formula sheet

Forces and motion

s=vtdistance travelled = average speed × time
a=\frac{\Delta v}{t}acceleration = change in velocity ÷ time taken
F=maresultant force = mass × acceleration
W=mgweight = mass × gravitational field strength
p=mvmomentum = mass × velocity (Higher Tier only)
F=\frac{mv-mu}{t}force = change in momentum ÷ time (Higher Tier only)
v^2-u^2=2asfinal velocity² − initial velocity² = 2 × acceleration × distance
F=keforce on a spring = spring constant × extension
E_e=\frac{1}{2}ke^2elastic potential energy (energy stored in a stretched spring) = ½ × spring constant × extension²
M=Fdmoment of a force = force × distance normal to the direction of the force (GCSE Physics only, not Combined Science)
p=\frac{F}{A}pressure = force normal to a surface ÷ area of that surface (GCSE Physics only, not Combined Science)
p=h\rho gpressure due to a column of liquid = height × density × gravitational field strength (GCSE Physics only, Higher Tier only)
p_1V_1=p_2V_2for a gas of fixed mass at constant temperature, the pressure and volume before and after (GCSE Physics only, not Combined Science)

Energy and power

E_p=mghgravitational potential energy = mass × gravitational field strength × height
E_k=\frac{1}{2}mv^2kinetic energy = ½ × mass × speed²
\text{efficiency}=\frac{\text{useful energy transferred}}{\text{total energy supplied}}efficiency = useful energy transferred by the device ÷ total energy supplied to the device
W=Fswork done = force × distance moved in the direction of the force
P=\frac{W}{t}power = work done ÷ time
P=\frac{E}{t}power = energy transferred ÷ time
\Delta E=mc\Delta\thetachange in thermal energy = mass × specific heat capacity × temperature change
E=mLthermal energy for a change of state = mass × specific latent heat

Waves

v=f\lambdawave speed = frequency × wavelength
v=\frac{x}{t}wave speed = distance ÷ time

Electricity

E=QVenergy transferred = charge flow × potential difference
Q=Itcharge flow = current × time
V=IRpotential difference = current × resistance
P=VIpower = potential difference × current
P=I^2Rpower = current² × resistance
E=IVtenergy transferred = current × potential difference × time

Density

\rho=\frac{m}{V}density = mass ÷ volume

Magnetism and transformers

F=BIlforce on a conductor at right angles to a magnetic field = magnetic flux density × current × length (Higher Tier only)
V_pI_p=V_sI_sfor a 100% efficient transformer, primary potential difference × primary current = secondary potential difference × secondary current
\frac{V_p}{V_s}=\frac{n_p}{n_s}potential difference across primary ÷ across secondary = turns on primary ÷ turns on secondary (GCSE Physics only, Higher Tier only)

Physics and Combined Science

Pearson's list opens with the equations for both courses, then adds "extra equations" for GCSE Physics only. The five extras are moment of a force, pressure, the potential difference ratio for a transformer, p₁V₁ = p₂V₂ for a gas, and the pressure due to a column of liquid.

GCSE PhysicsGCSE Combined Science (Physics)
Equations on the list3328
Higher Tier only (HT)53
Moment, pressure, gas lawYesNo

Reading the list as a Physics candidate

Pearson's first page of equations is for everyone. A heading then says "If you're taking GCSE (9-1) Physics, you also need these extra equations": moment, pressure, the gas law, the transformer ratio and the liquid column. Combined Science candidates stop before it. Five lines carry an HT badge, and two of those, hρg and the turns ratio, are also Physics only.

Two layout points catch people out. Power appears twice, once as work done over time and once as energy transferred over time, and both are P = E/t. Efficiency is given in words with no symbols, as useful energy transferred by the device over total energy supplied to it.

What is missing

  • Any number: gravitational field strength, specific heat capacities and latent heats all come from the question.
  • Any unit, so conversions are on you.
  • Total resistance in series and parallel, and everything on radioactivity.
  • Energy transferred as power × time. Edexcel gives E = QV and E = IVt instead, so write power × time as P = E/t rearranged.

Worked example: Boyle's law (Physics only)

A gas of fixed mass at constant temperature has a pressure of 150 kPa in a 0.40 litre syringe. The plunger is pushed until the volume is 0.25 litres. Use p₁V₁ = p₂V₂.

p_2=\frac{p_1V_1}{V_2}=\frac{150\times0.40}{0.25}=240\ \text{kPa}

The pressure rises because the volume falls. The units of volume cancel, so litres are fine here, and so is kilopascals.

Worked example: electrical energy from E = IVt

A 12 V lamp draws 0.50 A for 3 minutes. Three minutes is 180 s.

E=IVt=0.50\times12\times180=1080\ \text{J}

Worked example: a step-up transformer (Higher)

A 24 V supply feeds a primary of 200 turns, and the secondary has 1500 turns. Find the output voltage, then the secondary current if the primary current is 3.0 A and no energy is lost.

V_s=\frac{24\times1500}{200}=180\ \text{V}\qquad I_s=\frac{24\times3.0}{180}=0.40\ \text{A}

The sheet's second transformer equation is for a transformer with 100% efficiency, which is exactly the assumption in the question.

Practise picking the right 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.

Edexcel against AQA

AQA prints one list with every line in words and a symbol, and marks both transformer lines HT. Edexcel orders its lines differently and leaves the 100% efficient transformer line unmarked. For the AQA version read our AQA GCSE Physics equation sheet, and for dates and boundaries our GCSE Physics guide. Pearson's notice of 18 November 2024 promises clean copies in the papers for 2025, 2026 and 2027.

Today's paper as a mock

The Foundation and Higher papers are 8 questions worth 25 to 35 marks, written by us rather than Pearson. Time yourself, and jot the equation you used beside each part.

Exam answers

Once you have submitted and the paper is marked, worked answers and a mark scheme appear with it. We do not offer Pearson's official answers or past paper solutions.

Common questions

Does Edexcel give an equation sheet in GCSE Physics?
Yes. Pearson supplies an equations list for GCSE Physics and Combined Science (Physics), with clean copies in the papers for 2025 to 2027.
How many equations does it list?
33 for GCSE Physics, 28 of them shared with Combined Science, and 5 marked HT.
Is the 2025 list new?
No. Pearson says it is the same as 2024.
Which lines are Physics only?
Moment, pressure, the transformer voltage ratio, p₁V₁ = p₂V₂ and p = hρg.
Is E = Pt on the list?
No. Use E = IVt, E = QV or P = E/t rearranged.

Revision cards

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Where to go next

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