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GCSE Combined Science equation sheet: AQA, Edexcel and OCR compared

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Formula sheet

The card opens today's Combined Science paper with the 22 equations that every board prints, a safe core. For your own board's complete list use AQA, Edexcel or OCR.

Formula sheet

GCSE Combined Science Foundation

Open formula sheet

Energy

E_k=\frac{1}{2}mv^2kinetic energy = ½ × mass × speed²
E_e=\frac{1}{2}ke^2elastic potential energy (energy stored in a stretched spring) = ½ × spring constant × extension²
E_p=mghgravitational potential energy = mass × gravitational field strength × height
\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
\text{efficiency}=\frac{\text{useful energy transferred}}{\text{total energy transferred}}efficiency = useful energy transferred ÷ total energy transferred

Electricity

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

Forces and motion

W=mgweight = mass × gravitational field strength
W=Fswork done = force × distance moved in the direction of the force
F=keforce on a spring = spring constant × extension
a=\frac{\Delta v}{t}acceleration = change in velocity ÷ time taken
v^2-u^2=2asfinal velocity² − initial velocity² = 2 × acceleration × distance
F=maresultant force = mass × acceleration
p=mvmomentum = mass × velocity (Higher Tier only)

Density and waves

\rho=\frac{m}{V}density = mass ÷ volume
v=f\lambdawave speed = frequency × wavelength

Magnetism and electromagnetism

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

The boards side by side

Board and courseEquationsMarked HTSheet we read
AQA Trilogy (8464) and Synergy (8465)283June 2027
Edexcel Combined Science (1SC0)283May-June 2024
OCR Gateway Combined Science A (J250)252June 2027
OCR Twenty First Century Combined Science B (J260)283June 2027

What only some sheets print

EquationAQAEdexcelOCR AOCR B
period = 1 ÷ frequencyYesNoNoNo
energy transferred = current × potential difference × timeNoYesNoNo
energy transferred = power × timeYesNoYesYes
force = change in momentum ÷ timeNoYesNoNo
wave speed = distance ÷ timeNoYesNoNo
potential difference = work done ÷ chargeNoNoNoYes
power = work done ÷ timeYesYesYesNo

OCR B also prints change in momentum = resultant force × time, which no other sheet has. It prints the speed equation as average speed = distance ÷ time, where the others write distance travelled = speed × time.

The size of each sheet

AQA and Edexcel both give 28 lines. OCR's Gateway sheet is shorter at 25 and its Twenty First Century sheet gives 28. The overlap is 22, so up to six lines on your sheet are not on every other board's.

One equation that only some boards print

A mains supply runs at 50 Hz and you need the time for one cycle. Only AQA prints the period line, so there it is T = 1/f = 0.02 s. On other boards you would be expected to know that a period is one over the frequency.

T=\frac{1}{50}=0.02\ \text{s}

One equation in words only

A motor takes in 600 J and wastes 330 J. Every board writes efficiency in words. The useful energy is 270 J, so efficiency = 270 ÷ 600 = 0.45, or 45%.

One equation everyone prints

A spring with a constant of 30 N/m is stretched by 10 cm, which is 0.10 m.

E_e=\frac{1}{2}ke^2=\frac{1}{2}\times30\times0.10^2=0.15\ \text{J}

Never given

  • Constants, since the question supplies g, c and L.
  • Units.
  • Chemistry formulae: the chemistry papers use a periodic table.

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.

Other boards

This page covers AQA, Edexcel and OCR; for CCEA see our CCEA Double Award Science guide. The sheets compared are AQA's, Pearson's and OCR's Gateway and Twenty First Century sheets.

Practice

Today's Foundation or Higher paper is 8 questions worth 25 to 35 marks, not any board's own.

Exam answers

Answers and a worked mark scheme arrive with each daily paper once marked. We offer no official board answers.

Common questions

Do Combined Science papers have equation sheets?
The physics papers do. AQA, Edexcel and OCR each issue one.
Are they identical?
No. 22 lines are common and each sheet adds a few of its own.
Which board has the shortest sheet?
OCR Gateway, with 25.
What if my board is not here?
Use the sheet printed in your paper. This page covers AQA, Edexcel and OCR, and CCEA has its own guide.
Is there a chemistry equation sheet?
No, the chemistry papers use a periodic table.

Revision cards

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

Where to go next

  • Solve it

    Specific Heat Capacity Calculator

    Work out heating energy and specific and latent heat

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  • Learn it

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    Newton's laws, momentum, and the forces that shape our world

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  • Test it

    GCSE Combined Science Foundation

    A new exam-style paper every day, with instant marking and a mark scheme

    Start today's paper
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UK · GCSEEdexcel GCSE Combined Science equation sheet: all 28The Edexcel GCSE Combined Science (Physics) equations list for 1SC0: all 28 equations, the 3 Higher Tier ones, what is not on it, and examples.