This GCSE science formula sheet brings together common biology, chemistry and physics equations, the units that go with them, and a practical method for rearranging calculations. Use it as a checking tool during GCSE science revision, then return to it when you review mistakes or begin a new set of science past papers.
Overview
Knowing an equation is only the first part of answering a calculation question. You also need to identify the quantities in the question, convert them into compatible units, substitute values carefully and give a sensible final answer. Examiners may award marks for working even when the final answer is incorrect, so write down the equation before using your calculator.
This guide is designed for GCSE biology, chemistry and physics revision. The exact equations available in an exam can depend on your specification and tier. AQA, Edexcel and OCR may present formulae differently, and some equations may be supplied in the question paper. Treat this as a revision reference rather than a replacement for the equation sheet issued by your exam board.
Combined science students should focus on the equations included in their specification. Triple science students may need additional equations or more demanding applications. Your specification, teacher and recent practice papers should decide what belongs on your personal checklist.
What to track
GCSE biology equations
Biology contains fewer numerical equations than physics, but calculations still appear in microscopy, ecology and practical work.
- Magnification = image size ÷ actual size. Use the same unit for both sizes before dividing. For example, convert millimetres to micrometres if necessary.
- Rate of change = change in quantity ÷ time taken. This can be used for rates such as population change or movement of a substance through a system.
- Percentage change = change ÷ original value × 100. Write down the original value separately so that you do not divide by the final value by mistake.
Also track practical variables alongside the equation: the independent variable, dependent variable, control variables, repeat readings and units. A biology calculation can be mathematically correct but lose marks if the data has been copied incorrectly or the conclusion does not match the trend.
GCSE chemistry equations
Chemistry calculations often depend on concentration, mass and volume. Keep the units visible at every stage.
- Mass concentration = mass of solute ÷ volume of solution. A common unit is grams per decimetre cubed, written as g/dm³.
- Percentage yield = actual yield ÷ theoretical yield × 100. The actual yield is the amount obtained in the experiment; the theoretical yield is the maximum expected amount.
- Atom economy = relative formula mass of desired product ÷ total relative formula mass of reactants × 100. Use the balanced symbol equation and include the correct stoichiometric numbers.
- Concentration in mol/dm³ = amount in moles ÷ volume in dm³. This is mainly relevant where your specification includes the relevant quantitative chemistry.
For solution calculations, remember that 1 dm³ equals 1,000 cm³. Therefore, divide a volume in cm³ by 1,000 to convert it to dm³. Do not change the numerical value of a mass from grams unless the equation requires another unit.
GCSE physics equations
Physics has the largest collection of commonly used GCSE equations. Build your formula list by topic rather than trying to memorise an unconnected block.
- Speed = distance ÷ time. Speed is measured in m/s when distance is in metres and time is in seconds.
- Density = mass ÷ volume. Common units include kg/m³ and g/cm³. Check that mass and volume use a compatible unit system.
- Weight = mass × gravitational field strength. Weight is measured in newtons, mass in kilograms and gravitational field strength in N/kg.
- Work done = force × distance. The distance should be measured in the direction of the force.
- Power = energy transferred ÷ time. Power is measured in watts, energy in joules and time in seconds.
- Kinetic energy = 0.5 × mass × speed².
- Gravitational potential energy = mass × gravitational field strength × height.
- Momentum = mass × velocity.
- Pressure = force ÷ area. Use square metres for area when pressure is required in pascals.
- Energy transferred = charge × potential difference.
- Power = current × potential difference and, where relevant, power = current² × resistance.
- Charge flow = current × time.
- Wave speed = frequency × wavelength.
- Efficiency = useful output energy ÷ total input energy × 100.
Some specifications also use equations involving resistance, transformers, liquid pressure or force and acceleration. Add these from your own exam-board materials rather than assuming that every GCSE course uses the same list.
How to rearrange science equations
Rearranging means changing the subject of an equation so that the quantity you need is alone. A reliable method is to perform the same operation on both sides.
For example, start with speed = distance ÷ time. To find distance, multiply both sides by time: distance = speed × time. To find time, divide distance by speed: time = distance ÷ speed.
For a formula such as density = mass ÷ volume, multiply by volume to find mass: mass = density × volume. Divide mass by density to find volume: volume = mass ÷ density.
For kinetic energy = 0.5 × mass × speed², divide by 0.5 × mass first, then take the square root if you are finding speed. Do not forget that the square applies to speed, not to the entire expression.
Equation triangles can help with simple relationships such as speed, distance and time, or density, mass and volume. They are less useful for equations containing squares, several multiplication signs or fractions. In those cases, algebraic rearranging is safer.
Units, conversions and checkpoints
Before substituting values, make a short unit check. Convert minutes to seconds, centimetres to metres, grams to kilograms and centimetres cubed to metres cubed when the equation requires SI units. Area and volume conversions need particular care: converting a length is not the same as converting an area or a volume.
Use this four-step calculation routine:
- Choose: identify the equation and write it in symbols or words.
- Convert: put all values into compatible units.
- Substitute: show the numbers clearly, including brackets where needed.
- Check: round sensibly, add the unit and ask whether the size of the answer is reasonable.
Keep a mistake log with four columns: topic, equation, error, and corrected method. Typical errors include using weight instead of mass, forgetting to square a value, entering a percentage as a whole number, or leaving a volume in cm³ when dm³ is required.
Cadence and checkpoints
Use this formula sheet at three useful points in your GCSE science revision. First, review it when you finish a topic and mark equations as secure, uncertain or not yet studied. Second, revisit it weekly while completing short calculation questions. Third, review it after a science past paper and update your mistake log using the questions you could not complete confidently.
A simple monthly checkpoint is enough during ordinary revision. Test yourself without looking at the sheet: write the equation, define each symbol, state the usual unit and complete one rearrangement. Then compare your answer with the reference. This tests recall and application rather than recognition.
For combined science revision, divide the checklist across biology, chemistry and physics so that physics does not dominate simply because it has more equations. For triple science revision, add specification-specific equations and practical calculations to the same tracker.
How to interpret changes
Your results should show more than a percentage score. Record whether an error came from recalling the equation, rearranging it, converting units, using a calculator or interpreting the question. If most errors are unit errors, practise conversions separately. If you know the formula but cannot decide which value represents each symbol, complete questions that ask you to label quantities before calculating.
When a mark scheme gives a different-looking answer, check rounding, standard form and units before assuming your method was wrong. If the answer is several orders of magnitude different, inspect powers of ten and conversions first. For practical questions, compare your calculation with the graph, table or experimental context rather than treating the number in isolation.
When to revisit and what to do next
Revisit this GCSE science formula sheet monthly, after each mock or full past paper, and whenever your exam board publishes or your teacher provides an updated equation list. Formula requirements can vary by specification, tier and assessment arrangement, so check the current materials used by your school before the exam.
On your next study session, download or copy the checklist into your revision notes. Highlight five equations you cannot recall, complete one question for each, and add every mistake to your tracker. Then practise the weakest topic using GCSE physics revision by topic or GCSE chemistry revision by topic. For practical calculations, review the GCSE required practicals revision guide. Return here after your next paper and update the checklist rather than starting from scratch.
