Uni-Sine
UK exams
UK examsGCSE

GCSE Physics equation sheet: AQA, Edexcel and OCR compared

Published 5 min read

Papers reset in

Formula sheet

The widget below opens today's paper with a shared core of equations, the 27 lines all four sheets print. Your exam board's own sheet is the one you will actually be given, so its guide is the full list: AQA, Edexcel or OCR.

Formula sheet

GCSE Physics 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

Particle model of matter

\rho=\frac{m}{V}density = mass ÷ volume
pV=\text{constant}for a gas of fixed mass at constant temperature, pressure × volume = constant

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
M=Fdmoment of a force = force × distance normal to the direction of the force
p=\frac{F}{A}pressure = force normal to a surface ÷ area of that surface
p=h\rho gpressure due to a column of liquid = height × density × gravitational field strength (Higher Tier only)
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)

Waves

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)
\frac{V_p}{V_s}=\frac{n_p}{n_s}potential difference across primary ÷ across secondary = turns on primary ÷ turns on secondary (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 Physics (8463)356June 2027
Edexcel Physics (1PH0)335May-June 2024
OCR Physics A, Gateway (J249)304June 2027
OCR Physics B, Twenty First Century (J259)335June 2027

What only some sheets print

EquationAQAEdexcelOCR AOCR B
period = 1 ÷ frequencyYesNoNoNo
magnification = image height ÷ object heightYesNoNoNo
energy transferred = current × potential difference × timeNoYesNoNo
wave speed = distance ÷ timeNoYesNoNo
potential difference = work done ÷ chargeNoNoNoYes
change in momentum = resultant force × time (HT)NoNoNoYes
force = change in momentum ÷ time (HT)YesYesNoNo
energy transferred = power × timeYesNoYesYes
power = energy transferred ÷ timeYesYesNoYes
power = work done ÷ timeYesYesYesNo

The Higher Tier marks differ too. AQA marks both transformer lines HT, while Edexcel and OCR mark only the turns ratio. Edexcel prints its transformer power equation for a 100% efficient transformer.

Which question to ask first

Before revising any equation, find out which course you sit: AQA 8463, Edexcel 1PH0, OCR Gateway J249 or OCR Twenty First Century J259. The answer decides the number of lines you get, from 30 to 35, and which of them are marked for the Higher Tier.

One question, four sheets

A 3.0 kW kettle runs for 150 s. How much energy does it transfer? AQA and both OCR sheets give energy transferred = power × time, so E = Pt = 3000 × 150 = 450000 J. Edexcel does not print that line. There you start from power = energy ÷ time and rearrange:

E=Pt=3000\times150=450000\ \text{J}

Same answer, different route, which is why practising on your own board's sheet matters.

Another case: stopping distance with v² − u² = 2as

A car at 20 m/s brakes with an acceleration of −5 m/s². All four sheets print this relation. Final speed is 0.

0^2-20^2=2\times(-5)\times s\quad\text{so}\quad s=\frac{-400}{-10}=40\ \text{m}

What none of them give

  • Gravitational field strength, specific heat capacities or latent heats.
  • The unit of anything.
  • Series and parallel circuit rules.
  • Atomic structure and space.

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.

Boards left out

This page covers AQA, Edexcel and OCR; for CCEA see our CCEA GCSE Physics equation sheet guide. The comparison above comes from AQA's 8463 sheet, Pearson's equations list and OCR's Physics A and Physics B sheets. For dates and boundaries use the GCSE Physics guide, and for the science double award see the Combined Science comparison.

Daily practice

Try the Foundation or Higher paper: 8 questions, 25 to 35 marks, in no board's style but a good test of picking the right line.

Exam answers

We publish answers and a worked mark scheme with each daily paper, after it has been marked. None of them are official exam board answers.

Common questions

Do all GCSE Physics papers give an equation sheet?
For AQA, Edexcel and OCR in 2027, yes. The Department for Education and Ofqual decision covers 2025 to 2027.
How many equations do the boards give?
AQA 35, Edexcel 33, OCR Physics A 30 and OCR Physics B 33.
Which equations appear on every board's sheet?
27, covering energy, electricity, density, forces, waves and magnetism.
Which board marks the most lines HT?
AQA marks 6. Edexcel and OCR Physics B mark 5, and OCR Physics A marks 4.
Is memorising still worth it?
Knowing the common ones saves time, because no sheet says which to use.

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

    Open the tool
  • Learn it

    Laws of Motion

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

    Start the course
  • Test it

    GCSE Physics Foundation

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

    Start today's paper
Read next
UK · GCSEAQA GCSE Physics equation sheet: all 35 equationsThe AQA GCSE Physics equation sheet for 8463: all 35 equations, the 6 Higher Tier ones, what is not on it, and worked examples of using it.