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GCSE Physics topic map GCSE Physics · AQA, Edexcel, OCR

Every GCSE Physics equation

The equations of all three GCSE Physics specifications in one list, with what each board does with it: recall it, or find it on the equation sheet, and whether it is Higher tier or Physics only. The equation is shown in AQA's letters; open your board's sheet for its own. Each equation links the Physiworld lesson that teaches it; lessons open with a free account. The revision notes explain each topic with worked examples.

Not in its list means that board does not list the equation in this form; it may list a rearranged one (E = Pt for P = E/t). Your board's own sheet: AQA 8463 · Edexcel 1PH0 · OCR J249

The equation sheet now prints everything. In the 2025, 2026 and 2027 exams the boards print every equation, recall ones included, on the sheet in the exam, and Ofqual has since decided the sheets stay for the rest of the current specifications. The recall equations are still the ones to know by heart: they save time, and the sheet will not tell you which equation a question needs. Check the sheet your board publishes for your exam year.

Energy

Equation	What it says, symbols and units	Lesson
E_k = ½mv² AQA RecallEdexcel RecallOCR Recall	Energy of a moving object; double the speed and the kinetic energy is four times as big. E_k kinetic energy, J m mass, kg v speed, m/s	Dynamics 3 · Kinetic Energy
E_p = mgh AQA RecallEdexcel RecallOCR Recall	Energy gained by a mass lifted through a height, near the Earth's surface. E_p gravitational potential energy gained, J m mass, kg g gravitational field strength, N/kg h height lifted, m	Dynamics 3 · Energy Conservation
E_e = ½ke² AQA GivenEdexcel GivenOCR Given	Energy stored in a stretched spring, while it obeys Hooke's law. E_e elastic potential energy, J k spring constant, N/m e extension, m	Dynamics 6 · Elastic Potential Energy
W = Fs AQA RecallEdexcel RecallOCR Recall	Work done by a force is the force times the distance moved along its line of action; it equals the energy transferred. W work done, J F force, N s distance along the line of the force, m	Dynamics 3 · Work Done
P = Et AQA RecallEdexcel RecallOCR not in its list	Power is the energy transferred each second; 1 W is 1 J/s. P power, W E energy transferred, J t time, s	Dynamics 3 · Power
P = Wt AQA RecallEdexcel RecallOCR Recall	Power is the work done each second. P power, W W work done, J t time, s	Dynamics 3 · Power
efficiency = useful energy outputtotal energy input (× 100%) AQA RecallEdexcel RecallOCR Recall	The share of the input that ends up useful; it works the same with useful power output over total power input. Never more than 1, or 100%. efficiency a ratio or a percentage	Dynamics 3 · Power

Forces and motion

Equation	What it says, symbols and units	Lesson
W = mg AQA RecallEdexcel RecallOCR Recall	Weight is the gravitational force on a mass; on Earth g is about 9.8 N/kg. W weight, N m mass, kg g gravitational field strength, N/kg	Gravity 1 · Mass & Weight
s = vt AQA RecallEdexcel RecallOCR Recall	Distance travelled is (average) speed times time. s distance, m v speed, m/s t time, s	Dynamics 5 · Distance–Time Graphs
a = Δvt AQA RecallEdexcel RecallOCR Recall	Acceleration is the change in velocity each second; a deceleration is a negative acceleration. a acceleration, m/s² Δv change in velocity, m/s t time taken, s	Dynamics 5 · Velocity–Time Graphs
v² − u² = 2as AQA GivenEdexcel GivenOCR Given	Links the start and end speeds to the distance, for constant acceleration, without needing the time. v final velocity, m/s u initial velocity, m/s a acceleration, m/s² s distance, m	Dynamics 5 · Equations of Motion
F = ma AQA RecallEdexcel RecallOCR Recall	A resultant force accelerates a mass, in the direction of the force. F resultant force, N m mass, kg a acceleration, m/s²	Dynamics 1 · Newton’s Second Law
F = ke AQA RecallEdexcel RecallOCR Recall	Up to the limit of proportionality, the extension of a spring is proportional to the force on it. F force, N k spring constant, N/m e extension, m	Dynamics 6 · Hooke’s Law
M = Fd AQA Recall · Physics onlyEdexcel Recall · Physics onlyOCR Recall · Physics only	The turning effect of a force grows with the force and with its perpendicular distance from the pivot. M moment, N m F force, N d perpendicular distance from the pivot, m	Dynamics 7 · Moments
p = mv AQA Recall · HigherEdexcel Recall · HigherOCR Recall · Higher	Momentum is mass times velocity, and it has a direction. p momentum, kg m/s m mass, kg v velocity, m/s	Dynamics 2 · Momentum
F = mΔvΔt AQA Given · Higher · Physics onlyEdexcel Given · HigherOCR not in its list	Force is the rate of change of momentum, so a longer impact time means a smaller force: crumple zones, airbags, helmets. F force, N mΔv change in momentum, kg m/s Δt time taken, s	Dynamics 2 · Impulse

Density, pressure and heating

Equation	What it says, symbols and units	Lesson
ρ = mV AQA RecallEdexcel RecallOCR Recall	Density is the mass of each cubic metre of a material; a solid less dense than a liquid floats in it. ρ density, kg/m³ m mass, kg V volume, m³	Fluids 1 · Density
ΔE = mcΔθ AQA GivenEdexcel GivenOCR Given	Energy needed to change the temperature of a mass; c is the energy to warm 1 kg by 1 °C. ΔE change in thermal energy, J m mass, kg c specific heat capacity, J/kg °C Δθ temperature change, °C	Thermal 1 · Specific Heat Capacity
E = mL AQA GivenEdexcel GivenOCR Given	Energy needed to melt or boil a mass, with no change in temperature. E energy, J m mass, kg L specific latent heat, J/kg	Thermal 4 · Latent Heat
p = FA AQA Recall · Physics onlyEdexcel Recall · Physics onlyOCR Recall · Physics only	Pressure is force per unit area: the same force on a bigger area gives a smaller pressure. p pressure, Pa (N/m²) F force at right angles to the surface, N A area, m²	Fluids 3 · Pressure
p = hρg AQA Given · Higher · Physics onlyEdexcel Given · Higher · Physics onlyOCR Given · Higher · Physics only	Pressure due to a column of liquid grows with its height and density. p pressure, Pa h height of the column, m ρ density of the liquid, kg/m³ g gravitational field strength, N/kg	Fluids 3 · Pressure & Depth
pV = constant AQA Given · Physics onlyEdexcel Given · Physics onlyOCR Given · Physics only	For a fixed mass of gas at constant temperature, halve the volume and the pressure doubles (p₁V₁ = p₂V₂). p pressure, Pa V volume, m³	Thermal 8 · Squeeze a Gas

Waves and light

Equation	What it says, symbols and units	Lesson
v = fλ AQA RecallEdexcel RecallOCR Recall	Wave speed is frequency times wavelength, for every kind of wave. v wave speed, m/s f frequency, Hz λ wavelength, m	Waves 1 · Wave Speed
v = xt AQA not in its listEdexcel RecallOCR not in its list	Wave speed from how far a wave travels in a measured time, as with an echo. v wave speed, m/s x distance, m t time, s	Waves 3 · Speed of Sound
T = 1f AQA GivenEdexcel not in its listOCR not in its list	The period is the time for one complete wave; it is one over the frequency. T period, s f frequency, Hz	Waves 4 · Frequency & Wavelength
magnification = image heightobject height AQA Given · Physics onlyEdexcel not in its listOCR not in its list	How many times bigger the image is than the object; no unit.	Optics 5 · Magnification

Electricity

Equation	What it says, symbols and units	Lesson
Q = It AQA RecallEdexcel RecallOCR Recall	Charge that flows is current times time; 1 C is 1 A for 1 s. Q charge, C I current, A t time, s	Electricity 3 · Current
V = IR AQA RecallEdexcel RecallOCR Recall	Potential difference is current times resistance. V potential difference, V I current, A R resistance, Ω	Electricity 3 · Resistance
P = VI AQA RecallEdexcel RecallOCR Recall	Electrical power is current times potential difference. P power, W I current, A V potential difference, V	Electricity 5 · Power & Fuses
P = I²R AQA RecallEdexcel RecallOCR Recall	Power lost heating a resistance; a smaller current wastes much less, which is why the National Grid uses high voltage. P power, W I current, A R resistance, Ω	Electricity 11 · Why Such High Voltage?
E = Pt AQA RecallEdexcel not in its listOCR Recall	Energy transferred is power times time. E energy transferred, J P power, W t time, s	Electricity 10 · Paying for Energy
E = QV AQA RecallEdexcel RecallOCR Recall	Energy transferred is the charge times the potential difference it moves through. E energy transferred, J Q charge, C V potential difference, V	Electricity 3 · Potential Difference
E = IVt AQA not in its listEdexcel GivenOCR not in its list	Energy an electric current transfers in a time t. E energy, J I current, A V potential difference, V t time, s	Electricity 10 · Paying for Energy

Magnetism and electromagnetism

Equation	What it says, symbols and units	Lesson
F = BIl AQA Given · HigherEdexcel Given · HigherOCR Given · Higher	Force on a current-carrying wire at right angles to a magnetic field. F force, N B magnetic flux density, T I current, A l length of wire in the field, m	Electricity 4 · The Motor Effect
V_pV_s = n_pn_s AQA Given · Higher · Physics onlyEdexcel Given · Physics onlyOCR Given · Higher · Physics only	A transformer changes an alternating voltage in the ratio of its turns. V_p, V_s p.d. across primary and secondary coil, V n_p, n_s number of turns on each coil	Electricity 11 · Building the Grid
V_pI_p = V_sI_s AQA Given · HigherEdexcel GivenOCR Given	For a 100% efficient transformer, power in equals power out: step the voltage up and the current goes down. I_p, I_s current in primary and secondary coil, A V_p, V_s p.d. across each coil, V	Electricity 11 · Why Such High Voltage?

Written in Physiworld's own words from the AQA 8463, Pearson Edexcel 1PH0 and OCR Gateway J249 specifications. Physics only means not examined in that board's Combined Science.

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