The Physics Question Bank

Every equation you need is printed on the equation sheet you get in the exam. Following Ofqual’s March 2026 decision, this continues for the rest of the current GCSE Physics and Combined Science specifications. The skill is choosing the right equation and rearranging it.

Download the official sheet

Print the one for your course and keep it next to you whenever you practise, so you know exactly where everything is on exam day.

These are AQA’s official sheets for June 2026, hosted on aqa.org.uk. AQA publishes a new copy each year – if a link stops working, search “AQA 8463 equations sheet” on the AQA website.

The sheet, with practice links

The equations below are in the same order as the official sheet. Tap any equation to practise it. HT = Higher tier only. S = Separate Physics only (not on the Combined Science sheet).

Energy

Eₖ = ½mv²	kinetic energy = 0.5 × mass × (speed)²
Eₑ = ½ke²	elastic potential energy = 0.5 × spring constant × (extension)²
Eₚ = mgh	gravitational potential energy = mass × gravitational field strength × height
ΔE = mcΔθ	change in thermal energy = mass × specific heat capacity × temperature change
P = E / t	power = energy transferred ÷ time
P = W / t	power = work done ÷ time
efficiency (energy)	efficiency = useful output energy transfer ÷ total input energy transfer
efficiency (power)	efficiency = useful power output ÷ total power input

Electricity

Q = It	charge flow = current × time
V = IR	potential difference = current × resistance
P = VI	power = potential difference × current
P = I²R	power = (current)² × resistance
E = Pt	energy transferred = power × time
E = QV	energy transferred = charge flow × potential difference

Particle model of matter

ρ = m / V	density = mass ÷ volume
E = mL	thermal energy for a change of state = mass × specific latent heat
pV = constant (S)	for gases: pressure × volume = constant

Forces

W = mg	weight = mass × gravitational field strength
W = Fs	work done = force × distance (along the line of action of the force)
F = ke	force = spring constant × extension
M = Fd (S)	moment of a force = force × distance (normal to direction of force)
p = F / A (S)	pressure = force normal to a surface ÷ area of that surface
p = hρg (S, HT)	pressure due to a column of liquid = height × density of liquid × gravitational field strength
s = vt	distance travelled = speed × time
a = Δv / t	acceleration = change in velocity ÷ time taken
v² − u² = 2as	(final velocity)² − (initial velocity)² = 2 × acceleration × distance
F = ma	resultant force = mass × acceleration
p = mv (HT)	momentum = mass × velocity
F = mΔv / Δt (S, HT)	force = change in momentum ÷ time taken

Waves

T = 1 / f	period = 1 ÷ frequency
v = fλ	wave speed = frequency × wavelength
magnification (S)	magnification = image height ÷ object height

Magnetism and electromagnetism

F = BIl (HT)	force on a conductor carrying a current = magnetic flux density × current × length
Vₚ / Vₛ = nₚ / nₛ (S, HT)	potential difference across primary ÷ secondary coil = turns on primary ÷ secondary coil
VₚIₚ = VₛIₛ (S, HT)	primary p.d. × primary current = secondary p.d. × secondary current

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Using the sheet in the exam

1. Use it from question one, not just when you’re stuck. Writing the correct equation down usually earns the first mark.
2. Underline what the question asks for before you look – similar-looking equations (Eₖ = ½mv² and Eₑ = ½ke²) are easy to mix up.
3. Match the units in the question to the quantities in the equation – see Which equation? for practice.
4. Write the rearranged equation down before substituting – don’t rearrange in your head.
5. Still learn the common ones (V = IR, F = ma, v = fλ…) – knowing them by heart saves time on a long paper.