IGCSE Physics 0625 equations

There is no equation sheet in the IGCSE Physics exam: you must recall these. This list follows the 2026–2028 syllabus. Equations marked Extended are Supplement content.

Free · no sign-up · works in your browser

1 Motion, forces and energy

Speed
v = s ÷ tv in m/s, s in m, t in s
Average speed
average speed = total distance ÷ total timem/s
Acceleration Extended
a = Δv ÷ Δta in m/s², Δv in m/s, Δt in s
Gravitational field strength
g = W ÷ mg in N/kg, W in N, m in kgOn Earth g = 9.8 N/kg.
Density
ρ = m ÷ Vkg/m³ or g/cm³
Spring constant Extended
k = F ÷ xk in N/m, F in N, x (extension) in m
Force, mass and acceleration Extended
F = maF in N, m in kg, a in m/s²
Moment of a force
moment = force × perpendicular distance from the pivotN m
Momentum Extended
p = mvkg m/s
Impulse Extended
impulse = FΔt = Δ(mv)N s
Resultant force and momentum Extended
F = Δp ÷ ΔtN
Kinetic energy Extended
Eₖ = ½mv²J
Change in gravitational potential energy Extended
ΔEₚ = mgΔhJ
Work done
W = Fd = ΔEJ
Efficiency Extended
efficiency = (useful energy output ÷ total energy input) × 100%% (or the same with power)
Power
P = W ÷ t and P = ΔE ÷ tP in W, E in J, t in s
Pressure
p = F ÷ Ap in Pa (N/m²), F in N, A in m²
Pressure change in a liquid Extended
Δp = ρgΔhPa

2 Thermal physics

Gas at constant temperature Extended
pV = constant (p₁V₁ = p₂V₂)any matching units
Kelvin temperature
T (in K) = θ (in °C) + 273K
Specific heat capacity Extended
c = ΔE ÷ (mΔθ)J/(kg °C)

3 Waves

Wave speed
v = fλv in m/s, f in Hz, λ in m
Refractive index Extended
n = sin i ÷ sin rno unit
Critical angle Extended
n = 1 ÷ sin cno unit

4 Electricity and magnetism

Current and charge Extended
I = Q ÷ tI in A, Q in C, t in s
Electromotive force Extended
E = W ÷ QV
Potential difference Extended
V = W ÷ QV
Resistance
R = V ÷ IΩ
Resistors in series
R = R₁ + R₂ + …Ω
Two resistors in parallel Extended
1 ÷ R = 1 ÷ R₁ + 1 ÷ R₂ΩThe combined resistance is less than either resistor alone.
Potential divider Extended
R₁ ÷ R₂ = V₁ ÷ V₂no unit (ratio)
Electrical power
P = IVW
Electrical energy
E = IVtJ (kWh for household energy)
Transformer turns
Vₚ ÷ Vₛ = Nₚ ÷ Nₛno unit (ratio)
100% efficient transformer Extended
IₚVₚ = IₛVₛW
Power lost in cables Extended
P = I²RW

6 Space physics

Average orbital speed Extended
v = 2πr ÷ Tv in m/s (or km/s), r = orbit radius, T = orbital period
Hubble constant Extended
H₀ = v ÷ dper second (current estimate 2.2 × 10⁻¹⁸ /s)
Age of the Universe (estimate) Extended
d ÷ v = 1 ÷ H₀s

How to learn them

  • Learn each equation with its units, not just the letters. Many marks are lost for a missing or wrong unit.
  • Practise rearranging: cover one quantity and write the equation for it.
  • Convert to base units before you substitute (g → kg, cm → m, kJ → J, minutes → seconds).

Questions students ask

Do you get a formula sheet in IGCSE Physics?

No. You must recall and use the equations listed in the syllabus.

Which equations are Extended only?

Those marked Extended are in the Supplement column of the syllabus, for example F = ma, Eₖ = ½mv² and n = sin i ÷ sin r.