You walk into your A-level Physics exam, and the invigilator hands you a thick question paper. Tucked inside: a clean, printed booklet listing hundreds of equations, physical constants, and unit conversions. You're allowed to use it. You don't memorise everything. But here's the catch: you still need to know which formula solves which problem, when to apply each one, and what the symbols mean. The sheet is a reference, not a shortcut.
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).
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.
Always memorise these core relationships for instant recall in timed conditions.
AQA vs Edexcel formula sheets
| Board | Spec | Booklet |
|---|---|---|
| AQA and Edexcel | 7408 and 9PH0 | Data and formulae booklet in Papers 1, 2, and 3 |
Both 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.
Also see the Edexcel A-level maths formula sheet for related maths content.Edexcel A-level maths formula sheet
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.
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.