Key facts
AQA 7408
A Level Physics candidates must have a Data and Formulae Booklet
Source: AQA, A-level Physics 7408 question paper (Paper 3, June 2019)
Pearson Edexcel 9PH0
Booklet is titled List of data, formulae and relationships
Source: Pearson, A level Physics (9PH0) List of data, formulae and relationships
OCR H556
Physics A uses the Data, Formulae and Relationships Booklet
Source: OCR, AS Level Physics A (H156) A Level Physics A (H556) booklet
Figures checked on against the official sources linked.
Yes, you get a formula sheet in A Level Physics (often called the equation sheet, data sheet or data booklet). AQA (7408) gives you a Data and Formulae Booklet in every paper, and Pearson Edexcel (9PH0) gives you a Data, Formulae and Relationships Booklet. Each lists the physical constants and the main equations topic by topic, so you do not need to memorise most equations. You do need to know what each symbol means, which equation fits the question and how to rearrange it, and anything your specification expects you to know that the booklet does not print. Lift College teaches AQA A Level Physics with a named UK tutor; see our A Level Physics online course, which starts with a 7-day free trial.
What formulas are you given in the exam?
Both AQA and Edexcel provide a data and formulae booklet in every A Level Physics exam (Papers 1, 2, and 3). You get:
- Core equations across mechanics, fields, waves, electricity, thermal physics, and nuclear physics.
- Physical constants (speed of light, Planck constant, elementary charge, electron mass, etc.).
- Unit conversions (electronvolts to joules, astronomical units, light-years).
Where do I download the AQA A Level Physics equation sheet?
AQA publishes the Data and Formulae Booklet for A Level Physics (7408) free with its 7408 assessment resources on aqa.org.uk, alongside the past papers and mark schemes, and it is the same booklet in AS and A Level papers. In the exam you cannot bring your own copy: the invigilator gives you a clean one with each paper, so practise from the official download until you know where every equation sits.
Formulas you must memorise
Contrary to popular belief, you do need to memorise some equations. The booklet does not include every single relationship you will use, and some derivations assume you know foundational steps.
The booklet gives the equations, not the understanding. As you finish each topic, check every equation in your specification against the booklet and keep a short list of anything that is not printed, such as definitions of terms and the steps used to derive one result from another. Then learn that list, and know the units of every quantity, because unit checks catch most rearranging mistakes.
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| Topic | Given in the booklet | You must still know |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanics | suvat equations, force, momentum, work, power | When each suvat equation applies; vector and scalar reasoning |
| Materials | Hooke's law, Young modulus, stress and strain | Which part of a graph each term describes |
| Waves | Wave speed, diffraction grating, refractive index | Phase difference and path difference reasoning for interference |
| Electricity | Charge, current, resistance, resistivity, emf | Series and parallel reasoning and graph interpretation |
| Fields | Gravitational and electric field equations, capacitance | When to use the uniform or radial form |
| Nuclear | Decay law, half life, mass and energy | Reading log graphs of activity |
AQA vs Edexcel formula sheets
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| Exam board | Specification | What you are given |
|---|---|---|
| AQA | 7408 | Data and Formulae Booklet, provided in every A Level paper |
| Pearson Edexcel | 9PH0 | Data, Formulae and Relationships Booklet, enclosed with each paper (headed "List of data, formulae and relationships") |
| OCR | H556 (Physics A) | OCR's own data, formulae and relationships booklet; download it from OCR |
All three boards cover the same core physics, but layout and notation differ slightly. Download the official AQA 7408 and Edexcel 9PH0 booklets and practise with your board's version.
Key formulas by topic (common to both boards)
Representative equations cover mechanics, electric fields and circuits, waves, gravitational and magnetic fields, and nuclear and particle physics. Always cross-check your official PDF.
Symbols that catch students out
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| Symbol | Often read as | In the booklet it means |
|---|---|---|
| s | seconds | displacement (mechanics) |
| T | temperature | period of an oscillation, or temperature; the topic decides |
| ε | the same thing on every board | AQA uses it for emf; Pearson Edexcel uses it for strain |
| ρ | momentum | density (materials) or resistivity (electricity) |
| g | grams | gravitational field strength |
| λ | wavelength only | also the decay constant in nuclear physics |
How to use the formula sheet effectively
Download it now. Print it. Keep it next to you during every practice paper. Practise finding equations quickly and check units before you calculate.
If you are taking A Level Maths alongside Physics, the A Level Maths formula booklet guide covers what the maths booklets give you. The June 2026 boundaries for AQA and Edexcel Physics are in our A Level grade boundaries guide. To study AQA A Level Physics online, start the A Level Physics course with a 7-day free trial, or compare subjects on the A Level courses page.