IGCSE physics equations
to learn, and the sheet you get.
Cambridge IGCSE Physics 0625 gives no equation sheet: its syllabus asks students to recall and use every equation listed below. Pearson Edexcel prints an equation list with every International GCSE physics paper from 2025, and has confirmed it for 2028 and beyond. Here is each board’s list, from its own documents.
Cambridge IGCSE Physics 0625 and 0972: recall and use
No equation sheet is given. Core students need the Core equations; Extended students need those and the Supplement ones as well. The same list applies to 0972, the 9 to 1 version.
Core: every student
- v = s / tSpeed: distance travelled per unit time.
- average speed = total distance ÷ total timeAverage speed.
- g = W / mGravitational field strength: weight per unit mass, equal to the acceleration of free fall.
- ρ = m / VDensity: mass per unit volume.
- moment = F × perpendicular distance from the pivotMoment of a force.
- W = Fd = ΔEWork done: force times distance, equal to the energy transferred.
- P = W / t and P = ΔE / tPower: work done, or energy transferred, per unit time.
- p = F / APressure: force per unit area.
- T (K) = θ (°C) + 273Converting degrees Celsius to kelvin.
- v = fλWave speed: frequency times wavelength.
- angle of incidence = angle of reflectionReflection.
- R = V / IResistance.
- P = IVElectrical power.
- E = IVtElectrical energy.
- Vₚ / Vₛ = Nₚ / NₛTransformer: voltages and numbers of turns on the primary and secondary coils.
- half-lifeThe time for half the nuclei of an isotope in a sample to decay, used in simple calculations.
Extended only (Supplement)
- a = Δv / ΔtAcceleration: change in velocity per unit time.
- k = F / xSpring constant: force per unit extension.
- F = maResultant force; the force and the acceleration are in the same direction.
- p = mvMomentum.
- impulse = FΔt = Δ(mv)Impulse.
- F = Δp / ΔtResultant force: change in momentum per unit time.
- Eₖ = ½mv²Kinetic energy.
- ΔEₚ = mgΔhChange in gravitational potential energy.
- efficiency = useful energy output ÷ total energy input (× 100%)Also with useful power output and total power input.
- Δp = ρgΔhChange in pressure beneath the surface of a liquid.
- pV = constantA fixed mass of gas at constant temperature.
- c = ΔE / (mΔθ)Specific heat capacity: energy per unit mass per unit rise in temperature.
- n = sin i / sin rRefractive index from the angles of incidence and refraction.
- n = 1 / sin cRefractive index from the critical angle.
- I = Q / tCurrent: charge passing a point per unit time.
- E = W / Q and V = W / QElectromotive force and potential difference: work done per unit charge.
- R ∝ length, R ∝ 1 / cross-sectional areaResistance of a metallic conductor.
- R₁ / R₂ = V₁ / V₂Two resistors as a potential divider.
- IₚVₚ = IₛVₛA transformer at 100% efficiency.
- P = I²RPower lost in cables, and why high voltage reduces it.
- v = 2πr / TAverage orbital speed.
- H₀ = v / dThe Hubble constant: a galaxy’s speed away from Earth divided by its distance.
Values and facts to know
The syllabus also expects these to be known; Extended-only ones are marked.
- g ≈ 9.8 m/s²Near the Earth’s surface.
- absolute zero = −273 °CThe lowest possible temperature.
- speed of sound in air ≈ 330 to 350 m/sAudible range about 20 Hz to 20 000 Hz; ultrasound is above 20 kHz.
- speed of electromagnetic waves = 3.0 × 10⁸ m/sExtendedIn a vacuum, and about the same in air.
- 1 light-year = 9.5 × 10¹⁵ mExtendedA unit of distance.
- H₀ ≈ 2.2 × 10⁻¹⁸ per second; d / v = 1 / H₀ExtendedThe current estimate of the Hubble constant, and the estimate of the age of the Universe.
Maths to recall
Circumference of a circle; areas of a rectangle, triangle and circle; volumes of a rectangular block and a cylinder; Pythagoras’ theorem; and, for Extended students only, sine, cosine and tangent. F = mv²/r is not required.
Cambridge 0625 syllabus for 2026 to 2028 Checked 6 November 2026.
Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Physics 4PH1: the equation sheet
Given in the exam. Pearson prints an equation list with the papers from 2025, the same each year, and has confirmed it for 2028 and beyond, so students need not memorise physics equations. It also covers the physics paper of Science (Double Award) 4SD0. Paper 1 uses the first lists; Paper 2 adds the last one.
Forces and motion
- average speed = distance moved ÷ time taken
- a = (v − u) / tAcceleration: change in velocity ÷ time taken.
- v² = u² + 2as(final speed)² = (initial speed)² + 2 × acceleration × distance moved.
- F = m × aForce = mass × acceleration.
- W = m × gWeight = mass × gravitational field strength.
Electricity
- P = I × VPower = current × voltage.
- E = I × V × tEnergy transferred = current × voltage × time.
- V = I × RVoltage = current × resistance.
- Q = I × tCharge = current × time.
- E = Q × VEnergy transferred = charge × voltage.
Waves
- v = f × λWave speed = frequency × wavelength.
- f = 1 / TFrequency = 1 ÷ time period.
- n = sin i / sin rRefractive index.
- sin c = 1 / nCritical angle.
Energy resources and energy transfers
- efficiency = useful energy output ÷ total energy × 100%Pearson’s list words the bottom line as “total energy output”; it means the total energy supplied.
- W = F × dWork done = force × distance moved.
- GPE = m × g × hGravitational potential energy.
- KE = ½ × m × v²Kinetic energy.
- P = W / tPower = work done ÷ time taken.
Solids, liquids and gases; astrophysics
- ρ = m / VDensity = mass ÷ volume.
- p = F / APressure = force ÷ area.
- p = h × ρ × gPressure difference = height × density × gravitational field strength.
- p₁ / T₁ = p₂ / T₂Pressure ÷ temperature (in kelvin) = constant.
- p₁ × V₁ = p₂ × V₂Pressure × volume = constant.
- v = 2 × π × r / TOrbital speed.
Paper 2 only
- p = m × vPaper 2Momentum = mass × velocity.
- F = (mv − mu) / tPaper 2Force = change in momentum ÷ time taken.
- moment = force × perpendicular distance from the pivotPaper 2
- ΔQ = m × c × ΔTPaper 2Change in thermal energy = mass × specific heat capacity × change in temperature.
- Vₚ / Vₛ = Nₚ / NₛPaper 2Transformer: input (primary) voltage ÷ output (secondary) voltage = primary turns ÷ secondary turns.
- VₚIₚ = VₛIₛPaper 2Input power = output power, for 100% efficiency.
- (λ − λ₀) / λ₀ = Δλ / λ₀ = v / cPaper 2Red-shift: change in wavelength ÷ reference wavelength = velocity of a galaxy ÷ speed of light.
Pearson equation list, May–June 2025 Checked 6 November 2026.
OxfordAQA International GCSE Physics 9203: the equation sheet
The specification includes this equation sheet (Appendix 6.4) but does not say whether it is given in the exam, so ask the school and know the equations. It also says the value of g is given in any question that needs it, and that the centripetal force equation is not required.
Forces, motion and energy
- v = s / tVelocity = displacement ÷ time.
- a = Δv / tAcceleration.
- F = m × aForce.
- p = m × vMomentum.
- F = Δp / tForce = change in momentum ÷ time.
- W = m × gWeight.
- F = k × eForce = spring constant × extension.
- W = F × dWork done = force × distance moved in the direction of the force.
- P = W / t and P = E / tPower.
- Eₚ = m × g × hChange in gravitational potential energy.
- Eₖ = ½ × m × v²Kinetic energy.
- Eₑ = ½ × k × e²Elastic potential energy.
- M = F × dMoment = force × perpendicular distance to the pivot.
Waves and heat
- v = f × λWave speed.
- n = sin i / sin r and n = 1 / sin cRefractive index.
- magnification = image height ÷ object height
- E = m × c × ΔθEnergy = mass × specific heat capacity × temperature change.
- E = m × LEnergy for a change of state, with L the specific latent heat of vaporisation or of fusion.
- efficiency = useful energy out ÷ total energy in (× 100%)Also with useful power out and total power in.
Electricity
- I = Q / tCurrent = charge flow ÷ time.
- V = E / QPotential difference = energy transferred ÷ charge.
- V = I × RPotential difference = current × resistance.
- P = I × VPower.
- E (kW h) = P (kW) × t (h)Energy transferred, in kilowatt-hours.
- Vₚ / Vₛ = nₚ / nₛ and Vₚ × Iₚ = Vₛ × IₛTransformers.
OxfordAQA 9203 specification, Appendix 6.4 Checked 6 November 2026.
IGCSE physics equations:
questions students ask.
Do you get an equation sheet in IGCSE physics?
It depends on the board. Pearson Edexcel prints an equation list with every International GCSE physics paper from 2025 and has confirmed it for 2028 and beyond. Cambridge 0625 gives none: its syllabus asks students to recall and use each equation. OxfordAQA’s specification includes an equation sheet but does not say whether it is given in the exam.
How many equations do I need to learn for Cambridge IGCSE physics?
Core students need the Core list above, about 16 equations and relationships; Extended students need those and the Supplement list as well. Both also need a few values, such as g as about 9.8 m/s² near the Earth’s surface.
Is F = mv²/r on the IGCSE physics syllabus?
No. Cambridge 0625 says it is not required, and OxfordAQA 9203 says the equation for centripetal force is not required.
Do I need to know the value of g?
For Cambridge 0625, know that g is approximately 9.8 m/s² near the Earth’s surface. OxfordAQA 9203 gives the value of g in any question that needs it.
Is there an equation sheet for IGCSE chemistry or biology?
No. Pearson gives equation sheets for physics only, as in UK GCSE; chemistry and biology have none. Chemistry papers do print the Periodic Table.
The IGCSE Periodic Table