Exam boards: this is the equation sheet for AQA GCSE Physics (8463) and Combined Science: Trilogy (8464). Edexcel, OCR and WJEC/Eduqas have their own sheets – most equations are the same, but the selection, symbols and order differ.
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.
In plain English: You don’t need to learn these equations by heart, because the sheet is handed to you in the exam, a bit like cooking with the recipe open. The real skill is picking the right one quickly and rearranging it, so keep a printed copy beside you whenever you practise.
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 |
Using the sheet in the exam
- Use it from question one, not just when you’re stuck. Writing the correct equation down usually earns the first mark.
- Underline what the question asks for before you look – similar-looking equations (Eₖ = ½mv² and Eₑ = ½ke²) are easy to mix up.
- Match the units in the question to the quantities in the equation – see Which equation? for practice.
- Write the rearranged equation down before substituting – don’t rearrange in your head.
- Still learn the common ones (V = IR, F = ma, v = fλ…) – knowing them by heart saves time on a long paper.