Motion, forces and momentum
Every equation the syllabus expects you to recall and use.
| Quantity | Formula |
|---|---|
| Speed | v = s ÷ t |
| Acceleration | a = Δv ÷ Δt |
| Weight | W = mg (g = 9.8 N/kg) |
| Density | ρ = m ÷ V |
| Force | F = ma |
| Spring constant | k = F ÷ x |
| Moment | force × perpendicular distance from the pivot |
| Momentum and impulse | p = mv, impulse = FΔt = Δ(mv) |
| Resultant force | F = Δp ÷ Δt |
Energy and pressure
| Quantity | Formula |
|---|---|
| Kinetic energy | Ek = ½mv² |
| Gravitational potential energy | ΔEp = mgΔh |
| Work done | W = Fd |
| Power | P = W ÷ t = ΔE ÷ t |
| Efficiency | (useful output ÷ total input) × 100% |
| Pressure | p = F ÷ A, Δp = ρgΔh |
Thermal physics
| Quantity | Formula |
|---|---|
| Gas at constant temperature | p₁V₁ = p₂V₂ |
| Temperature in kelvin | T (K) = θ (°C) + 273 |
| Specific heat capacity | c = ΔE ÷ (mΔθ) |
Waves and light
| Quantity | Formula |
|---|---|
| Wave speed | v = fλ |
| Refractive index | n = sin i ÷ sin r, n = 1 ÷ sin c |
| Linear magnification | image length ÷ object length |
| Speed of electromagnetic waves | 3.0 × 10⁸ m/s in a vacuum |
Electricity
| Quantity | Formula |
|---|---|
| Current | I = Q ÷ t |
| e.m.f. and p.d. | E = W ÷ Q, V = W ÷ Q |
| Resistance | R = V ÷ I |
| Potential divider | R₁ ÷ R₂ = V₁ ÷ V₂ |
| Power and energy | P = IV, E = IVt |
| Transformer | Vp ÷ Vs = Np ÷ Ns |
Space physics
| Quantity | Formula |
|---|---|
| Orbital speed | v = 2πr ÷ T |
The papers
| Paper | Type | Time and marks |
|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | Multiple choice | 1 h, 40 marks (30%) |
| Paper 2 | Theory | 1 h 45 min, 80 marks (50%) |
| Paper 3 | Practical test | 1 h 30 min, 40 marks (20%) |
| Paper 4 | Alternative to practical (instead of Paper 3) | 1 h, 40 marks (20%) |
How to use this sheet
- Cover the Formula column and test yourself topic by topic.
- Learn units with each equation.
- Compared with IGCSE 0625, O Level 5054 states Boyle's law as p₁V₁ = p₂V₂ and adds linear magnification.
- Source: the official Cambridge syllabus (PDF). Cambridge's own booklet is copyright, so this is our own layout of the standard formulae.