IGCSE Physics Formula sheet
Motion
Average speed (m/s) = distance (m)
Time (s)
Average velocity (m/s) = displacement (m) (v = s /t)
Time (s)
Acceleration = change in velocity (a = v-u)
Time t
Forces and pressure
Force (N) = mass (kg) x acceleration (m/s2) (F = ma)
Force (N) = rate of change of momentum (F = m v – mu)
T
Weight on Earth (N) = mass (kg) x 10 (m/s2) (F = mg)
Momentum (kg m/s) = mass (kg) x velocity (m/s) (p = mv)
Density (kg/m3) = mass (kg) ( = M / V)
Volume (m3)
Hooke’s law: Force = constant x extension = kx (F = kx)
Pressure (Pa) = force (N) (P = F/A)
Area (m2)
Pressure underwater = height (m) x density (kg/m3) x gravitational field strength (10m/s2)
(P = h x x g)
Moment of a force (Nm) = Force (N) x perpendicular distance from pivot (m)
(Moment = Fd)
Energy and work
Work (J) = Force (N) x distance (m) (E = Fd)
Power (W) = work (J) (P = E/t)
Time (s)
Kinetic Energy (J) = ½ x mass (kg) x velocity2 (KE = 1/2mv2)
Gravitational potential energy (J) = mass (kg) x gravitational field strength (g) x height (m)
(GPE = mgh)
Efficiency (%) = useful energy output (J) x100
Total energy input (J)
Energy (J) = mass (kg) x specific heat capacity (J/kg oC) x change in temperature (oC)
Waves
Wave speed (m/s) = frequency (Hz) x wavelength (m) (c = f)
Refractive index = speed of light in vacuum (n = v1 / v2)
Speed of light in material
Refractive index = 1 / sin (critical angle in degrees) (n = 1 / sin c)
(n = sin i / sin r)
sini
refractiveindex =
sinr
Gas laws
Pressure x volume = constant (when
when a gas is it constant temperature
temperature)
(PV = constant)
For change in pressure:
Electricity
Current (A) = charge (C) (I = Q/t)
Time (s)
Voltage (V) = Current (A) x Resistance () (V = IR)
Power (W) = Current (A) x Voltage (V) (P = IV)
Energy transferred (J) = Current (I) x Voltage (V) x time (s) (EE = IVt)
Resistors in series:
Resistors in parallel:
Transformers:
Power in primary = Power in secondary (IpVp = IsVs)
Radioactive decay