OCR Twenty First Century physics equation sheet (J259)

OCR Twenty First Century GCSE Physics B (J259) lists 32 equations. Its specification asks you to recall and apply 22 and to select and apply 10. OCR's Equation Sheet prints all 32 in every J259 physics exam, and the sheets carry on from 2028 after the 2025 to 2027 run. Five equations are for Higher tier only.

The board's own documents

OCR Twenty First Century Physics B specification (J259, version 5.0) (Specification (PDF))
OCR Twenty First Century Physics B Equation Sheet (June 2025) (Equation sheet (PDF))

Equations the specification lists for recall

Order	Equation	Equation	What each specification says
1	Wave speed equation: v = fλ	`v = f λ`	Recall
2	Energy transferred equation: E = Pt	`E = P t`	Recall
3	Efficiency formula	`useful energy transferred ÷ total energy transferred`	Recall
4	Charge equation: Q = It	`Q = I t`	Recall
5	Potential difference equation: V = IR	`V = I R`	Recall
6	Energy transferred = charge × potential difference (E = QV)	`V = W/Q`	Recall
7	Power equation: P = E/t	`P = E/t`	Recall
8	Energy transferred = charge × potential difference (E = QV)	`E = Q V`	Recall
9	Electrical power equation: P = VI	`P = V I`	Recall
10	Power equation: P = I²R	`P = I² R`	Recall
11	Weight formula: W = mg	`W = m g`	Recall
12	Speed formula: distance = speed × time	`v = s/t`	Recall
13	Acceleration formula: a = (v − u)/t	`a = (v − u)/t`	Recall
14	Momentum formula: p = mv	`p = m v`	Recall · Higher tier only
15	Moment of a force: M = F d	`M = F d`	Recall
16	Force formula: F = ma	`F = m a`	Recall
17	Work done formula: W = Fs	`W = F s`	Recall
18	Kinetic energy formula: E = ½mv²	`E = ½ m v²`	Recall
19	Gravitational potential energy formula: E = m g h	`E = m g h`	Recall
20	Density formula: ρ = m/V	`ρ = m/V`	Recall
21	Spring force equation: F = k e	`F = k x`	Recall
22	Pressure formula: p = F ÷ A	`p = F/A`	Recall

Equations the specification gives on the sheet

Order	Equation	Equation	What each specification says
1	Force on a current in a magnetic field: F = BIl	`F = B I l`	Given on the sheet · Higher tier only
2	Transformer power equation: Vp Ip = Vs Is	`V_p I_p = V_s I_s`	Given on the sheet
3	Transformer turns equation: Vp/Vs = Np/Ns	`V_p/V_s = N_p/N_s`	Given on the sheet · Higher tier only
4	The equation v² − u² = 2as	`v² − u² = 2 a s`	Given on the sheet
5	Force and change in momentum: F = mΔv/Δt	`Δp = F t`	Given on the sheet · Higher tier only
6	Specific heat capacity equation: ΔE = m c Δθ	`ΔE = m c Δθ`	Given on the sheet
7	Specific latent heat equation: E = m L	`E = m l`	Given on the sheet
8	Elastic potential energy formula: E = ½ k e²	`E = ½ k x²`	Given on the sheet
9	Pressure and volume of a gas: pV = constant	`p V = constant`	Given on the sheet
10	Pressure in a liquid: p = hρg	`p = ρ g h`	Given on the sheet · Higher tier only

The equations in J259

The J259 specification, the document that sets out the course, keeps its equations in section 5h. The first table has 22 equations that it calls recall and apply. The second has 10 that it calls select and apply. Since the 2025 exams OCR has printed both tables on the Equation Sheet in each paper. The split still shows how the course groups each equation.

Several of the 22 in the first table look a little different from other boards. Speed is written as average speed = distance ÷ time, v = s/t. Acceleration is change in speed ÷ time taken, a = (v − u)/t. For energy and power it lists E = P t, E = Q V and P = E/t, and potential difference also appears as V = W/Q.

The rest of the first table covers familiar ground. Waves use v = f λ, and efficiency is given in words as useful energy transferred ÷ total energy transferred. Circuits add Q = I t, V = I R, P = V I and P = I² R. For forces there is W = m g, p = m v, M = F d, F = m a, W = F s and F = k x. Energy stores give E = ½ m v² and E = m g h. Matter gives ρ = m/V and p = F/A.

The 10 in the second table are F = B I l, V_p I_p = V_s I_s, V_p/V_s = N_p/N_s, v² − u² = 2 a s, Δp = F t, ΔE = m c Δθ, E = m l, E = ½ k x², p V = constant and p = ρ g h.

Forms you will only see in J259

Three J259 equations stand apart from the other five courses we compare. The first is potential difference = work done ÷ charge, V = W/Q. The other boards cover the same idea only through E = Q V, which is also on J259's list. The energy and charge page shows both.

The second is momentum. AQA and Edexcel write force = change in momentum ÷ time. J259 writes change in momentum = resultant force × time for which it acts, Δp = F t. It is the same physics set out the other way round, and the force and momentum page keeps each board's version as printed.

The third is liquid pressure. AQA and OCR Gateway both write p = h ρ g. J259 writes p = ρ g h and calls h the depth. The liquid pressure page works through examples.

Higher tier equations in J259

J259 has five Higher tier equations, which OCR prints in bold. One is from the first table: momentum, p = m v. Four are from the second table: F = B I l, the transformer turns equation, Δp = F t and p = ρ g h.

The transformer power equation, V_p I_p = V_s I_s, is not Higher tier in J259, so Foundation papers can use it.

What J259 leaves out

J259 does not list power = work done ÷ time. It uses the energy form, P = E/t, instead. There is no magnification equation and no period = 1 ÷ frequency. The spec also has no physics-only symbol, because J259 is itself a Physics course, so moment and pressure = force ÷ area sit in the main list.

This page covers Physics B (J259) only. If you are on a different OCR science course, use that course's own specification and sheet. For OCR's other Physics course, see OCR Gateway physics equations.

OCR's own documents

GCSE Physics B (Twenty First Century Science) J259 specification, section 5h
J259 Equation Sheet, the June 2025 insert

The GCSE physics equation sheet overview sets J259 next to the AQA and Edexcel courses.

Common mistakes

Using an AQA or Edexcel form of the momentum equation in a J259 answer. Start from Δp = F t, the form on your own sheet, and rearrange it if you need the force.
Treating p = ρ g h as a Foundation equation. In J259 it is Higher tier only.
Mixing up the two p symbols. In p = m v it is momentum, and in p = F/A it is pressure.

Turn Δp = F t round to find F or t in the Equation Rearranger.

Questions people ask

How many equations does OCR Physics B have?

J259 has 32: 22 in its recall and apply table and 10 in its select and apply table.

Why does J259 write Δp = F t?

J259 sets the momentum idea out as a change in momentum. It is the same physics as force = change in momentum ÷ time, just arranged the other way round.

Is J259 the same as OCR Gateway?

No. Gateway Physics A (J249) has 30 equations and some different forms, such as P = W/t and p = h ρ g.