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OCR GCSE Physics equation sheet (J249 and J259): every equation and how to use it

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Formula sheet

OCR prints a different sheet for each of its two physics courses, both four pages and both for June 2027. Press the card to try today's paper with a sheet beside it. The contents are Physics A, J249, arranged by OCR's own topic codes. Physics B, J259, is described afterwards.

Formula sheet

GCSE Physics Foundation

Open formula sheet

P1 Matter

\rho=\frac{m}{V}density = mass ÷ volume
\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
pV=\text{constant}for a gas of fixed mass at constant temperature, pressure × volume = constant
p=h\rho gpressure due to a column of liquid = height × density × gravitational field strength (Higher Tier only)

P2 Forces

s=vtdistance travelled = speed × time
a=\frac{v-u}{t}acceleration = (final velocity − initial velocity) ÷ time taken
v^2-u^2=2asfinal velocity² − initial velocity² = 2 × acceleration × distance
E_k=\frac{1}{2}mv^2kinetic energy = ½ × mass × speed²
F=maresultant force = mass × acceleration
p=mvmomentum = mass × velocity (Higher Tier only)
W=Fswork done = force × distance moved in the direction of the force
P=\frac{W}{t}power = work done ÷ time
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
W=mgweight = mass × gravitational field strength
E_p=mghgravitational potential energy = mass × gravitational field strength × height
p=\frac{F}{A}pressure = force normal to a surface ÷ area of that surface
M=Fdmoment of a force = force × distance normal to the direction of the force

P3 Electricity

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

P4 Magnetism and magnetic fields

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)

P5 Waves in matter

v=f\lambdawave speed = frequency × wavelength

P7 Energy

\text{efficiency}=\frac{\text{useful output energy transfer}}{\text{input energy transfer}}efficiency = useful output energy transfer ÷ input energy transfer

P8 Global challenges

V_pI_p=V_sI_sprimary potential difference × primary current = secondary potential difference × secondary current

Physics B (J259) is different

OCR prints a separate sheet for Physics B. Its June 2027 sheet has 33 lines, one of them (power = energy transferred ÷ time) repeated under two headings, so 32 different equations. Compared with Physics A, it has three equations Physics A does not: potential difference = work done ÷ charge, power = energy transferred ÷ time, and change in momentum = resultant force × time (HT). Physics A has one that B does not, power = work done ÷ time, and B writes the speed equation as average speed = distance ÷ time.

Physics A (J249)Physics B (J259)
Lines on the sheet3033
Marked HT45
Headed byP1 to P8 topicsP1 to P4 and P6
Efficiencyuseful output ÷ input energy transferuseful ÷ total energy transferred
Pressure in a liquidp = hρg (HT)p = ρgh (HT)

Topic codes explain the layout

OCR files each equation under the module it belongs to: P1 Matter, P2 Forces, P3 Electricity, P4 Magnetism, P5 Waves, P7 Energy and P8 Global challenges. So the transformer power equation sits under P8 while the turns ratio is in P4, and efficiency hides in P7. If you cannot find a line, think of the module rather than the formula's shape.

Not given

  • Numbers and units of every kind.
  • A symbol form of efficiency: OCR gives words only.
  • Anything for atomic structure, space or radioactivity.
  • The choice between three power equations.

Worked example: pressure from force and area

A person weighing 600 N stands on a stool whose four legs have a total contact area of 0.025 m². The P2 line is pressure = force normal to a surface ÷ area of that surface.

p=\frac{F}{A}=\frac{600}{0.025}=24000\ \text{Pa}

Worked example: moments with a spanner

A force of 45 N acts at 0.30 m from the nut, at right angles to the spanner.

M=Fd=45\times0.30=13.5\ \text{N m}

Worked example: power from work done

A motor does 4500 J of work lifting a load in 15 s. Physics A gives power = work done ÷ time.

P=\frac{W}{t}=\frac{4500}{15}=300\ \text{W}

Worked example: pressure in a liquid, Physics B (Higher)

The J259 sheet writes pressure = density × gravitational field strength × depth. For water of density 1000 kg/m³ at a depth of 2.5 m, with g given as 10 N/kg:

p=\rho gh=1000\times10\times2.5=25000\ \text{Pa}

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.

A against B

Physics B has 33 lines but one repeats, so 32 are distinct. It adds V = W/Q, power as energy ÷ time and Δp = Ft, and prints speed as distance ÷ time, while A has power as work done ÷ time. AQA's guide is our AQA GCSE Physics equation sheet and the boards' dates are in the GCSE Physics guide.

Trying it on a short paper

Our daily Foundation and Higher papers have 8 questions and 25 to 35 marks. They are not OCR papers. Leave the sheet closed for the first pass, then use it on the questions that stalled you.

Exam answers

Answers and a worked mark scheme are attached to today's paper after marking. They are ours, not OCR's, and we publish no past paper answers.

Common questions

Is there an OCR GCSE Physics equation sheet?
Yes, a separate four page sheet for Physics A (J249) and for Physics B (J259).
How many equations are on Physics A?
30, with 4 marked HT.
Why are the lines labelled P1 to P8?
They are OCR's module codes for the J249 course.
Can I write on the J249 sheet?
Yes, but it is not sent for marking.
Is efficiency given with a symbol?
No, only in words.

Revision cards

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

Where to go next

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