Quick answer: In the summer 2027 exams, AQA gives every GCSE Physics (8463) candidate a Physics Equations Sheet as an insert with Paper 1 and Paper 2. It lists all 35 equations in the specification, including the ones students used to have to learn by heart, and 6 of them are for Higher tier only. You still have to choose the right equation, rearrange it, use the correct units and explain your answer, so the sheet saves memorising but not practice.
What is the AQA GCSE Physics equation sheet?
The Physics Equations Sheet is a printed insert that AQA hands out with both GCSE Physics papers (8463/1 and 8463/2, Foundation and Higher). GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy (8464) physics papers come with their own Physics Equations Sheet, which is a separate, shorter document.
The AQA specification splits its equations into two lists. 23 are equations students "should be able to recall and apply", and 12 are equations they "should be able to select and apply" from the equation sheet. Before 2022, only the 12 select-and-apply equations were printed on the sheet, which is why older revision guides tell you to memorise the other 23.
That changed after the pandemic. Ofqual allowed formulae and equation sheets in GCSE maths, physics and combined science exams in 2022, 2023 and 2024, then confirmed them for 2025, 2026 and 2027. In May 2026 it decided they will continue from 2028 for the rest of the life of the current specifications, including resits. AQA has confirmed that the 2027 sheet is the same as the one used in 2026, and it now includes all 35 equations.
Every equation on the 2027 sheet
These are the 35 equations on AQA's Physics Equations Sheet for June 2027, in the order they appear. HT means Higher tier only. The last column shows whether the equation was on the specification's recall list, the equations students had to learn by heart before the sheets were introduced.
| # | Equation in words | Symbols | Tier | On the recall list |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | kinetic energy = 0.5 × mass × (speed)² | Ek = ½ m v² | Both | Yes |
| 2 | elastic potential energy = 0.5 × spring constant × (extension)² | Ee = ½ k e² | Both | No |
| 3 | gravitational potential energy = mass × gravitational field strength × height | Ep = m g h | Both | Yes |
| 4 | change in thermal energy = mass × specific heat capacity × temperature change | ΔE = m c Δθ | Both | No |
| 5 | power = energy transferred ÷ time | P = E ÷ t | Both | Yes |
| 6 | power = work done ÷ time | P = W ÷ t | Both | Yes |
| 7 | efficiency = useful output energy transfer ÷ total input energy transfer | Both | Yes | |
| 8 | efficiency = useful power output ÷ total power input | Both | Yes | |
| 9 | charge flow = current × time | Q = I t | Both | Yes |
| 10 | potential difference = current × resistance | V = I R | Both | Yes |
| 11 | power = potential difference × current | P = V I | Both | Yes |
| 12 | power = (current)² × resistance | P = I² R | Both | Yes |
| 13 | energy transferred = power × time | E = P t | Both | Yes |
| 14 | energy transferred = charge flow × potential difference | E = Q V | Both | Yes |
| 15 | density = mass ÷ volume | ρ = m ÷ V | Both | Yes |
| 16 | thermal energy for a change of state = mass × specific latent heat | E = m L | Both | No |
| 17 | for gases: pressure × volume = constant | p V = constant | Both | No |
| 18 | weight = mass × gravitational field strength | W = m g | Both | Yes |
| 19 | work done = force × distance (along the line of action of the force) | W = F s | Both | Yes |
| 20 | force applied to a spring = spring constant × extension | F = k e | Both | Yes |
| 21 | moment of a force = force × distance (normal to direction of force) | M = F d | Both | Yes |
| 22 | pressure = force normal to a surface ÷ area of that surface | p = F ÷ A | Both | Yes |
| 23 | pressure due to a column of liquid = height of column × density of liquid × gravitational field strength | p = h ρ g | HT | No |
| 24 | distance travelled = speed × time | s = v t | Both | Yes |
| 25 | acceleration = change in velocity ÷ time taken | a = Δv ÷ t | Both | Yes |
| 26 | (final velocity)² − (initial velocity)² = 2 × acceleration × distance | v² − u² = 2 a s | Both | No |
| 27 | resultant force = mass × acceleration | F = m a | Both | Yes |
| 28 | momentum = mass × velocity | p = m v | HT | Yes |
| 29 | force = change in momentum ÷ time taken | F = m Δv ÷ Δt | HT | No |
| 30 | period = 1 ÷ frequency | T = 1 ÷ f | Both | No |
| 31 | wave speed = frequency × wavelength | v = f λ | Both | Yes |
| 32 | magnification = image height ÷ object height | Both | No | |
| 33 | force on a conductor (at right angles to a magnetic field) carrying a current = magnetic flux density × current × length | F = B I l | HT | No |
| 34 | potential difference across primary coil ÷ potential difference across secondary coil = number of turns in primary coil ÷ number of turns in secondary coil | Vp ÷ Vs = np ÷ ns | HT | No |
| 35 | potential difference across primary coil × current in primary coil = potential difference across secondary coil × current in secondary coil | Vp Ip = Vs Is | HT | No |
Always practise with the official sheet from AQA rather than a copy, because the layout you see on exam day is the one to get used to. AQA publishes it on the GCSE Physics (8463) page of its website, marked with the exam year it is for.
Which equations are Higher tier only?
Six: pressure due to a column of liquid, momentum, force as change in momentum over time, the force on a current-carrying conductor (F = B I l), and the two transformer equations. Foundation papers do not test these, so a Foundation candidate can ignore them. The rest of the sheet applies to both tiers.
Foundation tier awards grades 1 to 5. Higher tier awards grades 4 to 9, with an allowed grade 3 for candidates who just miss grade 4. Both papers must be sat at the same tier in the same May/June series.
Do you still need to learn the equations?
Not word for word for summer 2027: AQA has told schools that students taking exams in 2025, 2026 and 2027 will not need to memorise the physics equations. But the papers still test how you use them, and most lost marks come from using them badly rather than not knowing them. The specification still expects you to:
- Pick the right equation. The sheet lists equations, not topics. Knowing that "energy needed to melt ice" means specific latent heat (E = m L) and not specific heat capacity (ΔE = m c Δθ) is your job.
- Rearrange it. Changing the subject of an equation is a named maths skill in the specification. Many questions give you the answer quantity and ask for something else, such as the mass from the kinetic energy.
- Use SI units and convert them. The equations work in kilograms, metres, seconds, joules, watts, amps and volts. Grams, centimetres, kilojoules and minutes have to be converted first, and the specification lists unit conversion as an assessed skill.
- Show your working. Calculation questions carry marks for the method, so write the equation, substitute and then give the answer with its unit.
From 2028 the sheets continue, but Ofqual's May 2026 decision says exam boards must not set questions that can be answered just by copying from the sheet. So if you are aiming for 2028 or later, expect fewer "write down the equation that links" marks and more questions that make you apply the physics.
How the two papers are set out
| Paper 1 | Paper 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Topics | Energy, Electricity, Particle model of matter, Atomic structure | Forces, Waves, Magnetism and electromagnetism, Space physics |
| Length | 1 hour 45 minutes | 1 hour 45 minutes |
| Marks | 100 | 100 |
| Weighting | 50% of the GCSE | 50% of the GCSE |
| Question types | Multiple choice, structured, closed short answer and open response | The same |
| Equation sheet | Yes | Yes |
Paper 1 mainly uses the energy, electricity and particle model equations, and Paper 2 the forces, motion, waves and electromagnetism ones, though work, power and energy can come up in both. There is no coursework: the 10 required practicals are examined through questions in the written papers, which count for at least 15% of the overall marks. A calculator is allowed in both papers. Our GCSE Physics Paper 1 guide goes through the first paper topic by topic.
How to revise with the equation sheet
- Revise with the sheet in front of you from the start. Print AQA's sheet and use it for every practice question, so you know where each equation sits without searching.
- Sort the equations by topic yourself. Write each topic heading (energy, electricity, particles, forces, waves, magnetism) and list the sheet numbers that belong to it. Doing it once teaches you which equation goes with which situation.
- Practise rearranging every equation. For each one, write it out solved for every quantity in it. Equations with a square (1, 2, 12, 26) and with three quantities multiplied together (3, 4, 23, 33) cause the most errors.
- Learn the units alongside the symbols. The sheet does not tell you that power is in watts or that specific heat capacity is in J/kg °C. Make a units list and test yourself on it.
- Finish with timed past papers. Use AQA past papers and mark schemes under timed conditions with the sheet, then check exactly where the mark scheme awards method marks.
Studying AQA GCSE Physics as an adult
Lift College teaches AQA GCSE Physics 8463 online, the same specification, papers and certificate as in schools, with a named UK tutor who marks your practice questions. Every topic and all 10 required practicals are covered, and you choose Foundation or Higher tier with your tutor once your mock results show where you are.
It costs £39.99 a month on Study, or £69.99 a month on +Exams, which adds your AQA entry and centre fees and books your seat at one of ten Tutors & Exams centres in England. Paying annually saves 15%. Every plan starts with a 7-day free trial, with nothing charged until day 8, and there is no contract. The course is open to anyone aged 14 or over (under 18s enrol with a parent or guardian's permission and support), and most learners study 6 to 12 hours a week and finish in 12 to 18 months. See the AQA GCSE Physics online course, our guide to sitting GCSEs as a private candidate, or how we compare in the best online GCSE Physics courses in the UK. All our subjects are on the online GCSEs page.
Sources checked
- AQA, GCSE Maths and GCSE Sciences formulae and equation sheets for 2027 and 2028 onwards (news, September 2026): https://www.aqa.org.uk/news/gcse-maths-sciences-formulae-equation-sheets-2027-28
- AQA, Physics Equations Sheet, GCSE Physics (8463), for use in June 2027: https://www.aqa.org.uk/files/3a9e22f6-c2ac-4c0d-b7af-75bfc887a19e/898017fd885d987fd8b04cfdd4bba4ad810a1217.pdf
- AQA, GCSE Physics (8463) specification, Appendix A: Physics equations: https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/physics/gcse/physics-8463/specification/appendix-a-physics-equations
- AQA, GCSE Physics (8463) specification at a glance: https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/physics/gcse/physics-8463/specification/specification-at-a-glance
- AQA, GCSE Physics (8463) practical assessment: https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/physics/gcse/physics-8463/specification/practical-assessment
- Ofqual, Decisions on changes to the assessment of mathematics, physics and combined science GCSEs in 2025, 2026 and 2027: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/proposed-changes-to-the-assessment-of-mathematics-physics-and-combined-science-gcses-in-2025-2026-and-2027/outcome/decisions-on-changes-to-the-assessment-of-mathematics-physics-and-combined-science-gcses-in-2025-2026-and-2027
- Ofqual, Decisions: proposed changes to the assessment of mathematics, physics and combined science GCSEs (May 2026): https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/proposed-changes-to-the-assessment-of-mathematics-physics-and-combined-science-gcses/outcome/decisions-proposed-changes-to-the-assessment-of-mathematics-physics-and-combined-science-gcses
- Lift College, GCSE Physics online (AQA 8463), course facts and prices as live on 12 October 2026: https://liftcollege.co.uk/qualifications/gcses/gcse-physics-online