A Level physics formula sheet and data booklet: AQA 7408

This page covers AQA A Level Physics 7408 and follows its Physics data and formulae booklet (version 1.6, for exams from the June 2017 series onwards) topic by topic, including the key data constants and all five options. Each line is marked given (printed in the booklet) or not given (recall it); use it to see what you need to learn before you open the booklet in the exam. A short section at the end compares what Edexcel International A Level (IAL) and OCR print.

Board	Official document
AQA A Level Physics (7408)	A-level Physics data and formulae (version 1.6, for exams from the June 2017 series onwards)
Pearson Edexcel International A Level Physics (XPH11, YPH11)	List of data, formulae and relationships, and specification Appendix 7 (Equations) and Appendix 8 (Data sheet)
OCR A Level Physics A (H556)	Data, Formulae and Relationships Booklet

In the booklet means the formula is printed in the official booklet or sheet in the exam; Learn it means students must recall it.

Key data: fundamental constants and values

All of these are printed on page 1 of the AQA booklet, so you do not need to memorise them, but you must use the booklet values.

Formula	Equation	In the exam
Speed of light in a vacuumIn the booklet	$c = 3.00 \times 1 0^{8} m s^{- 1}$	In the booklet
Permeability of free spaceIn the booklet	$μ_{0} = 4 π \times 1 0^{- 7} H m^{- 1}$	In the booklet
Permittivity of free spaceIn the booklet	$ε_{0} = 8.85 \times 1 0^{- 12} F m^{- 1}$	In the booklet
Magnitude of electron chargeIn the booklet	$e = 1.60 \times 1 0^{- 19} C$	In the booklet
Planck constantIn the booklet	$h = 6.63 \times 1 0^{- 34} J s$	In the booklet
Gravitational constantIn the booklet	$G = 6.67 \times 1 0^{- 11} N m^{2} kg^{- 2}$	In the booklet
Avogadro constantIn the booklet	$N_{A} = 6.02 \times 1 0^{23} mol^{- 1}$	In the booklet
Molar gas constantIn the booklet	$R = 8.31 J K^{- 1} mol^{- 1}$	In the booklet
Boltzmann constantIn the booklet	$k = 1.38 \times 1 0^{- 23} J K^{- 1}$	In the booklet
Stefan constantIn the booklet	$σ = 5.67 \times 1 0^{- 8} W m^{- 2} K^{- 4}$	In the booklet
Wien constantIn the booklet	$α = 2.90 \times 1 0^{- 3} m K$	In the booklet
Electron rest massEquivalent to 5.5 × 10⁻⁴ u.In the booklet	$m_{e} = 9.11 \times 1 0^{- 31} kg$	In the booklet
Electron charge/mass ratioIn the booklet	$\frac{e}{m _{e}} = 1.76 \times 1 0^{11} C kg^{- 1}$	In the booklet
Proton rest massPrinted as 1.67(3), the last digit in brackets. Equivalent to 1.00728 u.In the booklet	$m_{p} = 1.67 (3) \times 1 0^{- 27} kg$	In the booklet
Proton charge/mass ratioIn the booklet	$\frac{e}{m _{p}} = 9.58 \times 1 0^{7} C kg^{- 1}$	In the booklet
Neutron rest massEquivalent to 1.00867 u.In the booklet	$m_{n} = 1.67 (5) \times 1 0^{- 27} kg$	In the booklet
Gravitational field strengthThe booklet also lists g = 9.81 m s⁻² as the acceleration due to gravity.In the booklet	$g = 9.81 N kg^{- 1}$	In the booklet
Atomic mass unit1 u is equivalent to 931.5 MeV.In the booklet	$u = 1.661 \times 1 0^{- 27} kg$	In the booklet
Mass and radius of the SunIn the booklet	$M = 1.99 \times 1 0^{30} kg, r = 6.96 \times 1 0^{8} m$	In the booklet
Mass and radius of the EarthIn the booklet	$M = 5.97 \times 1 0^{24} kg, r = 6.37 \times 1 0^{6} m$	In the booklet
ElectronvoltNot listed as a separate constant. It is the value of e, so learn the link.Learn it	$1 eV = 1.60 \times 1 0^{- 19} J$	Learn it

Algebra and geometry

Formula	Equation	In the exam
Quadratic equationIn the booklet	$x = \frac{- b \pm b ^{2} - 4 a c}{2 a}$	In the booklet
Arc lengthθ in radians.In the booklet	$arc length = r θ$	In the booklet
Circumference of a circleIn the booklet	$C = 2 π r$	In the booklet
Area of a circleIn the booklet	$A = π r^{2}$	In the booklet
Curved surface area of a cylinderIn the booklet	$A = 2 π r h$	In the booklet
Area of a sphereIn the booklet	$A = 4 π r^{2}$	In the booklet
Volume of a sphereIn the booklet	$V = \frac{4}{3} π r^{3}$	In the booklet
Straight line graphGradient m and intercept c. Not in the booklet.Learn it	$y = m x + c$	Learn it
Resolving a vectorTrigonometry is not printed in the booklet.Learn it	$F_{x} = F cos θ, F_{y} = F sin θ$	Learn it

Particle physics

The booklet prints rest energies and the quark and lepton properties below. You must still learn the conservation rules and the quark structure of each particle.

Formula	Equation	In the exam
Rest energy of leptonsPhoton and neutrinos have zero rest energy.In the booklet	$e^{\pm} : 0.510999 MeV, μ^{\pm} : 105.659 MeV, ν : 0$	In the booklet
Rest energy of mesonsIn the booklet	$π^{\pm} : 139.576, π^{0} : 134.972, K^{\pm} : 493.821, K^{0} : 497.762 (MeV)$	In the booklet
Rest energy of baryonsIn the booklet	$p : 938.257 MeV, n : 939.551 MeV$	In the booklet
Up quark (u)Antiquarks have opposite signs.In the booklet	$Q = + \frac{2}{3} e, B = + \frac{1}{3}, S = 0$	In the booklet
Down quark (d)In the booklet	$Q = - \frac{1}{3} e, B = + \frac{1}{3}, S = 0$	In the booklet
Strange quark (s)In the booklet	$Q = - \frac{1}{3} e, B = + \frac{1}{3}, S = - 1$	In the booklet
Lepton numberIn the booklet	$L = + 1 (e^{-}, ν_{e}, μ^{-}, ν_{μ}), L = - 1 (antiparticles)$	In the booklet

Photons and energy levels

Formula	Equation	In the exam
Photon energyIn the booklet	$E = h f = \frac{h c}{λ}$	In the booklet
Photoelectric effectφ is the work function.In the booklet	$h f = ϕ + E_{k(max)}$	In the booklet
Energy levelsIn the booklet	$h f = E_{1} - E_{2}$	In the booklet
de Broglie wavelengthIn the booklet	$λ = \frac{h}{p} = \frac{h}{m v}$	In the booklet
Threshold frequencySet E_k(max) = 0 in the photoelectric equation.Learn it	$ϕ = h f_{0}$	Learn it
Stopping potentialNot printed. Learn the link between stopping potential and maximum kinetic energy.Learn it	$e V_{s} = E_{k(max)}$	Learn it

Waves and optics

Formula	Equation	In the exam
Wave speedIn the booklet	$c = f λ$	In the booklet
PeriodIn the booklet	$f = \frac{1}{T}$	In the booklet
First harmonic on a stringT is tension, μ is mass per unit length.In the booklet	$f = \frac{1}{2 l} \frac{T}{μ}$	In the booklet
Fringe spacing (double slit)s is slit separation, D is distance to screen.In the booklet	$w = \frac{λ D}{s}$	In the booklet
Diffraction gratingIn the booklet	$d sin θ = nλ$	In the booklet
Refractive indexIn the booklet	$n = \frac{c}{c _{s}}$	In the booklet
Law of refractionIn the booklet	$n_{1} sin θ_{1} = n_{2} sin θ_{2}$	In the booklet
Critical angleIn the booklet	$sin θ_{c} = \frac{n _{2}}{n _{1}} (n_{1} > n_{2})$	In the booklet
Path difference for constructive interferenceFor destructive interference use (n + 1/2) λ. Not in the booklet.Learn it	$path difference = nλ$	Learn it

Mechanics

Formula	Equation	In the exam
Moment of a forceIn the booklet	$moment = F d$	In the booklet
VelocityIn the booklet	$v = \frac{Δ s}{Δ t}$	In the booklet
AccelerationIn the booklet	$a = \frac{Δ v}{Δ t}$	In the booklet
Equations of motionIn the booklet	$v = u + a t$	In the booklet
Equations of motionIn the booklet	$s = (\frac{u + v}{2}) t$	In the booklet
Equations of motionIn the booklet	$v^{2} = u^{2} + 2 a s$	In the booklet
Equations of motionIn the booklet	$s = u t + \frac{a t ^{2}}{2}$	In the booklet
ForceIn the booklet	$F = ma$	In the booklet
Force as rate of change of momentumIn the booklet	$F = \frac{Δ ( m v )}{Δ t}$	In the booklet
ImpulseIn the booklet	$F Δ t = Δ (m v)$	In the booklet
Work doneIn the booklet	$W = F s cos θ$	In the booklet
Kinetic energyIn the booklet	$E_{k} = \frac{1}{2} m v^{2}$	In the booklet
Change in gravitational potential energyIn the booklet	$Δ E_{p} = m g Δ h$	In the booklet
PowerIn the booklet	$P = \frac{Δ W}{Δ t}, P = F v$	In the booklet
EfficiencyIn the booklet	$efficiency = \frac{useful output power}{input power}$	In the booklet
WeightNot in the AQA booklet. Edexcel IAL prints it.Learn it	$W = m g$	Learn it
MomentumNot in the AQA booklet. Edexcel IAL and OCR print it.Learn it	$p = m v$	Learn it

Materials

Formula	Equation	In the exam
DensityIn the booklet	$ρ = \frac{m}{V}$	In the booklet
Hooke's lawIn the booklet	$F = k Δ L$	In the booklet
Tensile stressIn the booklet	$stress = \frac{F}{A}$	In the booklet
Tensile strainIn the booklet	$strain = \frac{Δ L}{L}$	In the booklet
Young modulusIn the booklet	$E = \frac{tensile stress}{tensile strain}$	In the booklet
Energy stored in a stretched materialIn the booklet	$E = \frac{1}{2} F Δ L$	In the booklet

Electricity

Formula	Equation	In the exam
CurrentIn the booklet	$I = \frac{Δ Q}{Δ t}$	In the booklet
Potential differenceIn the booklet	$V = \frac{W}{Q}$	In the booklet
ResistanceIn the booklet	$R = \frac{V}{I}$	In the booklet
ResistivityIn the booklet	$ρ = \frac{R A}{L}$	In the booklet
Resistors in seriesIn the booklet	$R_{T} = R_{1} + R_{2} + R_{3} + \dots$	In the booklet
Resistors in parallelIn the booklet	$\frac{1}{R _{T}} = \frac{1}{R _{1}} + \frac{1}{R _{2}} + \frac{1}{R _{3}} + \dots$	In the booklet
PowerIn the booklet	$P = V I = I^{2} R = \frac{V ^{2}}{R}$	In the booklet
emfIn the booklet	$ε = \frac{E}{Q}$	In the booklet
emf and internal resistanceIn the booklet	$ε = I (R + r)$	In the booklet
ChargeThe booklet prints I = ΔQ/Δt but not Q = It.Learn it	$Q = I t$	Learn it
Potential dividerIn the specification (3.5.1.5) but not in the booklet.Learn it	$V_{out} = \frac{R _{2}}{R _{1} + R _{2}} V_{in}$	Learn it

Circular motion

Formula	Equation	In the exam
Angular speedIn the booklet	$ω = \frac{v}{r}$	In the booklet
Angular speed and frequencyIn the booklet	$ω = 2 π f$	In the booklet
Centripetal accelerationIn the booklet	$a = \frac{v ^{2}}{r} = ω^{2} r$	In the booklet
Centripetal forceIn the booklet	$F = \frac{m v ^{2}}{r} = m ω^{2} r$	In the booklet

Simple harmonic motion

Formula	Equation	In the exam
AccelerationIn the booklet	$a = - ω^{2} x$	In the booklet
DisplacementIn the booklet	$x = A cos (ω t)$	In the booklet
SpeedIn the booklet	$v = \pm ω A^{2} - x^{2}$	In the booklet
Maximum speedIn the booklet	$v_{m a x} = ω A$	In the booklet
Maximum accelerationIn the booklet	$a_{m a x} = ω^{2} A$	In the booklet
Mass on a springIn the booklet	$T = 2 π \frac{m}{k}$	In the booklet
Simple pendulumIn the booklet	$T = 2 π \frac{l}{g}$	In the booklet
Displacement starting from equilibriumOnly the cosine form is printed.Learn it	$x = A sin (ω t)$	Learn it

Thermal physics

Formula	Equation	In the exam
Energy to change temperatureIn the booklet	$Q = m c Δ θ$	In the booklet
Energy to change stateIn the booklet	$Q = m l$	In the booklet
Ideal gas law (moles)In the booklet	$p V = n RT$	In the booklet
Ideal gas law (molecules)In the booklet	$p V = N k T$	In the booklet
Kinetic theory modelIn the booklet	$p V = \frac{1}{3} N m (c_{rms})^{2}$	In the booklet
Kinetic energy of a gas moleculeIn the booklet	$\frac{1}{2} m (c_{rms})^{2} = \frac{3}{2} k T = \frac{3 RT}{2 N _{A}}$	In the booklet
Celsius to kelvinNot printed in the booklet.Learn it	$T / K = θ /^{\circ} C + 273$	Learn it

Gravitational fields

Formula	Equation	In the exam
Force between two massesIn the booklet	$F = \frac{G m _{1} m _{2}}{r ^{2}}$	In the booklet
Gravitational field strengthIn the booklet	$g = \frac{F}{m}$	In the booklet
Radial field strengthIn the booklet	$g = \frac{GM}{r ^{2}}$	In the booklet
Work doneIn the booklet	$Δ W = m Δ V$	In the booklet
Gravitational potentialIn the booklet	$V = - \frac{GM}{r}$	In the booklet
Field strength from potentialIn the booklet	$g = - \frac{Δ V}{Δ r}$	In the booklet
Orbital period (circular orbit)Not printed. Derive it by equating gravitational force to centripetal force.Learn it	$T^{2} = \frac{4 π ^{2} r ^{3}}{GM}$	Learn it

Electric fields and capacitors

Formula	Equation	In the exam
Coulomb's lawIn the booklet	$F = \frac{1}{4 π ε _{0}} \frac{Q _{1} Q _{2}}{r ^{2}}$	In the booklet
Force on a chargeIn the booklet	$F = EQ$	In the booklet
Uniform fieldIn the booklet	$E = \frac{V}{d}$	In the booklet
Work doneIn the booklet	$Δ W = Q Δ V$	In the booklet
Radial field strengthIn the booklet	$E = \frac{1}{4 π ε _{0}} \frac{Q}{r ^{2}}$	In the booklet
Electric potentialIn the booklet	$V = \frac{1}{4 π ε _{0}} \frac{Q}{r}$	In the booklet
Field strength from potentialIn the booklet	$E = \frac{Δ V}{Δ r}$	In the booklet
CapacitanceIn the booklet	$C = \frac{Q}{V}$	In the booklet
Parallel plate capacitorIn the booklet	$C = \frac{A ε _{0} ε _{r}}{d}$	In the booklet
Energy storedIn the booklet	$E = \frac{1}{2} Q V = \frac{1}{2} C V^{2} = \frac{1}{2} \frac{Q ^{2}}{C}$	In the booklet
ChargingIn the booklet	$Q = Q_{0} (1 - e^{- t / RC})$	In the booklet
DischargingIn the booklet	$Q = Q_{0} e^{- t / RC}$	In the booklet
Time constantIn the booklet	$τ = RC$	In the booklet
Time for charge to halveNot printed. Follows from the discharge equation.Learn it	$t_{1/2} = RC ln 2$	Learn it

Magnetic fields and electromagnetic induction

Formula	Equation	In the exam
Force on a currentThe booklet prints no sin θ. Use F = BIl sin θ if the field is not at right angles to the current.In the booklet	$F = B I l$	In the booklet
Force on a moving chargeUse F = BQv sin θ if the velocity is not at right angles to the field.In the booklet	$F = BQ v$	In the booklet
Magnetic fluxIn the booklet	$Φ = B A$	In the booklet
Magnetic flux linkageIn the booklet	$N Φ = B A N cos θ$	In the booklet
Magnitude of induced emfIn the booklet	$ε = N \frac{ΔΦ}{Δ t}$	In the booklet
emf in a rotating coilIn the booklet	$ε = B A N ω sin ω t$	In the booklet
Alternating current (rms)In the booklet	$I_{rms} = \frac{I _{0}}{2}, V_{rms} = \frac{V _{0}}{2}$	In the booklet
TransformerIn the booklet	$\frac{N _{s}}{N _{p}} = \frac{V _{s}}{V _{p}}$	In the booklet
Transformer efficiencyIn the booklet	$efficiency = \frac{I _{s} V _{s}}{I _{p} V _{p}}$	In the booklet

Nuclear physics

Formula	Equation	In the exam
Inverse square law for gamma radiationIn the booklet	$I = \frac{k}{x ^{2}}$	In the booklet
Radioactive decayIn the booklet	$\frac{Δ N}{Δ t} = - λ N, N = N_{0} e^{- λ t}$	In the booklet
ActivityIn the booklet	$A = λ N$	In the booklet
Half-lifeIn the booklet	$T_{1/2} = \frac{ln 2}{λ}$	In the booklet
Nuclear radiusIn the booklet	$R = R_{0} A^{1/3}$	In the booklet
Energy-mass equationIn the booklet	$E = m c^{2}$	In the booklet
Activity against timeNot printed. It follows from A = λ N and the decay equation.Learn it	$A = A_{0} e^{- λ t}$	Learn it

Options: astrophysics

Paper 3 Section B asks about one option only (35 marks). The booklet prints the equations for all five options, so learn only the one your school teaches.

Formula	Equation	In the exam
Astronomical distancesIn the booklet	$1 AU = 1.50 \times 1 0^{11} m, 1 ly = 9.46 \times 1 0^{15} m$	In the booklet
ParsecIn the booklet	$1 pc = 2.06 \times 1 0^{5} AU = 3.08 \times 1 0^{16} m = 3.26 ly$	In the booklet
Hubble constantIn the booklet	$H = 65 km s^{- 1} Mpc^{- 1}$	In the booklet
Angular magnificationθi: angle subtended by the image at the eye. θo: angle subtended by the object at the unaided eye. The booklet writes it in words.In the booklet	$M = \frac{θ _{i}}{θ _{o}}$	In the booklet
Telescope in normal adjustmentIn the booklet	$M = \frac{f _{0}}{f _{e}}$	In the booklet
Rayleigh criterionIn the booklet	$θ \approx \frac{λ}{D}$	In the booklet
Magnitude equationIn the booklet	$m - M = 5 lo g \frac{d}{10}$	In the booklet
Wien's lawIn the booklet	$λ_{m a x} T = 2.9 \times 1 0^{- 3} m K$	In the booklet
Stefan's lawIn the booklet	$P = σ A T^{4}$	In the booklet
Schwarzschild radiusIn the booklet	$R_{s} \approx \frac{2 GM}{c ^{2}}$	In the booklet
Doppler shift for v much less than cIn the booklet	$\frac{Δ f}{f} = - \frac{Δ λ}{λ} = \frac{v}{c}$	In the booklet
Red shiftIn the booklet	$z = - \frac{v}{c}$	In the booklet
Hubble's lawIn the booklet	$v = H d$	In the booklet

Options: medical physics

Formula	Equation	In the exam
Lens powerIn the booklet	$P = \frac{1}{f}$	In the booklet
Lens magnificationIn the booklet	$m = \frac{v}{u}$	In the booklet
Lens equationIn the booklet	$\frac{1}{f} = \frac{1}{u} + \frac{1}{v}$	In the booklet
Threshold of hearingIn the booklet	$I_{0} = 1.0 \times 1 0^{- 12} W m^{- 2}$	In the booklet
Intensity levelIn the booklet	$intensity level = 10 lo g \frac{I}{I _{0}}$	In the booklet
Absorption of X-raysIn the booklet	$I = I_{0} e^{- μx}$	In the booklet
Mass attenuation coefficientIn the booklet	$μ_{m} = \frac{μ}{ρ}$	In the booklet
Acoustic impedanceIn the booklet	$Z = ρ c$	In the booklet
Ultrasound reflectionIn the booklet	$\frac{I _{r}}{I _{i}} = (\frac{Z _{2} - Z _{1}}{Z _{2} + Z _{1}})^{2}$	In the booklet
Effective half-lifeIn the booklet	$\frac{1}{T _{E}} = \frac{1}{T _{B}} + \frac{1}{T _{P}}$	In the booklet

Options: engineering physics

Formula	Equation	In the exam
Moment of inertiaIn the booklet	$I = Σ m r^{2}$	In the booklet
Angular kinetic energyIn the booklet	$E_{k} = \frac{1}{2} I ω^{2}$	In the booklet
Equations of angular motionIn the booklet	$ω_{2} = ω_{1} + α t, ω_{2}^{2} = ω_{1}^{2} + 2 α θ$	In the booklet
Equations of angular motion (angle)In the booklet	$θ = ω_{1} t + \frac{α t ^{2}}{2}, θ = \frac{( ω _{1} + ω _{2} ) t}{2}$	In the booklet
TorqueIn the booklet	$T = I α, T = F r$	In the booklet
Angular momentum and impulseIn the booklet	$angular momentum = I ω, T Δ t = Δ (I ω)$	In the booklet
Rotational work and powerIn the booklet	$W = Tθ, P = T ω$	In the booklet
First law of thermodynamicsIn the booklet	$Q = Δ U + W, W = p Δ V$	In the booklet
Adiabatic and isothermal changeThe first is for an adiabatic change, the second for an isothermal one.In the booklet	$p V^{γ} = constant, p V = constant$	In the booklet
Heat engine efficiencyIn the booklet	$efficiency = \frac{W}{Q _{H}} = \frac{Q _{H} - Q _{C}}{Q _{H}}$	In the booklet
Maximum theoretical efficiencyIn the booklet	$\frac{T _{H} - T _{C}}{T _{H}}$	In the booklet
Engine powerAlso printed: work per cycle = area of loop; input power = calorific value x fuel flow rate; brake power P = T ω; friction power = indicated power minus brake power.In the booklet	$indicated power = (area of p - V loop) \times (cycles per second) \times (number of cylinders)$	In the booklet
RefrigeratorIn the booklet	$COP_{ref} = \frac{Q _{C}}{W} = \frac{Q _{C}}{Q _{H} - Q _{C}}$	In the booklet
Heat pumpIn the booklet	$COP_{hp} = \frac{Q _{H}}{W} = \frac{Q _{H}}{Q _{H} - Q _{C}}$	In the booklet

Options: turning points in physics

Formula	Equation	In the exam
Electron in an electric fieldIn the booklet	$F = \frac{e V}{d}$	In the booklet
Electron in a magnetic fieldIn the booklet	$F = B e v, r = \frac{m v}{B e}$	In the booklet
Electron accelerated through a pdIn the booklet	$\frac{1}{2} m v^{2} = e V$	In the booklet
Millikan's experimentIn the booklet	$\frac{Q V}{d} = m g, F = 6 π ηr v$	In the booklet
Maxwell's formulaIn the booklet	$c = \frac{1}{μ _{0} ε _{0}}$	In the booklet
de Broglie wavelength of an accelerated electronIn the booklet	$λ = \frac{h}{p} = \frac{h}{2 m e V}$	In the booklet
Time dilationIn the booklet	$t = \frac{t _{0}}{1 - \frac{v ^{2}}{c ^{2}}}$	In the booklet
Length contractionIn the booklet	$l = l_{0} 1 - \frac{v ^{2}}{c ^{2}}$	In the booklet
Relativistic energyIn the booklet	$E = m c^{2} = \frac{m _{0} c ^{2}}{1 - \frac{v ^{2}}{c ^{2}}}$	In the booklet

Options: electronics

Formula	Equation	In the exam
Resonant frequencyIn the booklet	$f_{0} = \frac{1}{2 π L C}$	In the booklet
Q-factorIn the booklet	$Q = \frac{f _{0}}{f _{B}}$	In the booklet
Op-amp, open loopIn the booklet	$V_{out} = A_{OL} (V_{+} - V_{-})$	In the booklet
Inverting amplifierIn the booklet	$\frac{V _{out}}{V _{in}} = - \frac{R _{f}}{R _{in}}$	In the booklet
Non-inverting amplifierIn the booklet	$\frac{V _{out}}{V _{in}} = 1 + \frac{R _{f}}{R _{1}}$	In the booklet
Summing amplifierIn the booklet	$V_{out} = - R_{f} (\frac{V _{1}}{R _{1}} + \frac{V _{2}}{R _{2}} + \frac{V _{3}}{R _{3}} + \dots)$	In the booklet
Difference amplifierIn the booklet	$V_{out} = (V_{+} - V_{-}) \frac{R _{f}}{R _{1}}$	In the booklet
Bandwidth for AMIn the booklet	$bandwidth = 2 f_{M}$	In the booklet
Bandwidth for FMIn the booklet	$bandwidth = 2 (Δ f + f_{M})$	In the booklet

Edexcel IAL and OCR: what they give

Edexcel IAL prints a full equation list in every paper and says students need not memorise formulae. OCR prints a Data, Formulae and Relationships Booklet that is fuller than AQA's. The 'given' tick here is for AQA only.

Formula	Equation	In the exam
WeightAQA: recall. Edexcel IAL: printed. OCR: not printed in its booklet.Learn it	$W = m g$	Learn it
MomentumAQA: recall. Edexcel IAL: printed. OCR: printed.Learn it	$p = m v$	Learn it
Ohm's lawAQA: printed. Edexcel IAL: printed. OCR: not printed in its booklet, so recall it.In the booklet	$R = \frac{V}{I}$	In the booklet
Equations of motionPrinted by AQA, Edexcel IAL and OCR.In the booklet	$v = u + a t$	In the booklet
Intensity of a waveAQA: recall. Edexcel IAL and OCR: printed.Learn it	$I = \frac{P}{A}$	Learn it
Potential dividerAQA: recall. OCR: printed. Edexcel IAL: not in its equation list.Learn it	$V_{out} = \frac{R _{2}}{R _{1} + R _{2}} V_{in}$	Learn it
Orbital periodAQA: derive. OCR: printed. Edexcel IAL: not in its equation list.Learn it	$T^{2} = \frac{4 π ^{2} r ^{3}}{GM}$	Learn it

Learn these: not in the booklet

Weight $W = m g$
Momentum $p = m v$
Charge $Q = I t$
Potential divider $V_{out} = \frac{R _{2}}{R _{1} + R _{2}} V_{in}$
Interference $path difference = nλ or (n + \frac{1}{2}) λ$ nλ gives constructive interference; (n + ½)λ gives destructive.
Straight line graph $y = m x + c$
Resolving a vector $F_{x} = F cos θ, F_{y} = F sin θ$
Threshold frequency and stopping potential $ϕ = h f_{0}, e V_{s} = E_{k(max)}$
Orbital period (derive it) $T^{2} = \frac{4 π ^{2} r ^{3}}{GM}$
Celsius to kelvin $T / K = θ /^{\circ} C + 273$
Electronvolt $1 eV = 1.60 \times 1 0^{- 19} J$

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Our printable version of each board's official booklet: everything it prints (formulas, constants, data and statistical tables) in the board's own order, plus what you must learn and exam tips. Choose your board, then click a booklet to open it or use Download to save the PDF.

AQA1 booklet

A Level Physics 7408PDF, 11 pages, 0.8 MB
Download

Edexcel2 booklets

A Level Physics 9PH0PDF, 8 pages, 0.6 MB
Download
AS Physics 8PH0PDF, 4 pages, 0.5 MB
Download

Edexcel International (IAL)1 booklet

International AS and A Level PhysicsPDF, 7 pages, 0.5 MB
Download

Cambridge1 booklet

AS and A Level Physics 9702PDF, 7 pages, 0.6 MB
Download

OxfordAQA1 booklet

International AS and A Level Physics 9630PDF, 8 pages, 0.7 MB
Download

How to use the formula sheet in the exam

Learn the symbols and units. The booklet gives equations only, with no definitions, so you must know what each letter stands for.
Several equations are printed in more than one form, such as P = VI = I²R = V²/R. Choose the form that matches the numbers you are given.
Check the booklet before you answer, not after. Spotting that an equation is missing early tells you whether you need to derive it.
Use the booklet's constants, not your calculator's stored values, and carry the full figures until the final line before rounding.
The booklet prints F = BIl and F = BQv without sin θ. If the field is not perpendicular, include the sine.

Common questions

Does AQA give a formula sheet in the A Level Physics exam?

Yes. AQA publishes a Physics data and formulae booklet for 7408 that you use in the exam. It prints the data constants and many equations, but not every relationship you need.

Which equations are not in the AQA booklet?

The booklet leaves out weight (W = mg), momentum (p = mv), Q = It, the potential divider, path difference conditions and the orbital period relation, among others. Learn these, and check the not given lines on this page.

Do I have to learn all five options?

No. In Paper 3 Section B you answer one option for 35 marks. The booklet prints the equations for all five, so revise only the one you are taught.

Does the booklet explain what the symbols mean?

No. It lists equations and their names, and gives units only for the constants. You need to know the symbols, units and when each equation applies.

How is Edexcel IAL Physics different?

Edexcel IAL prints a full equation list in each paper and its specification says students need not memorise formulae. It does include items AQA leaves out, such as W = mg and p = mv.

Practise this topic

Real past paper questions, by topic

CuratedPrep worksheets group real past paper questions by syllabus topic, with a full marking scheme and revision notes, for every A Level physics topic.

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Formulas checked against the official documents linked above. Boards update their booklets from time to time: always practise with the version your exam uses.

A Level physics formula sheet: AQA data and formulae booklet

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