The IGCSE physics equations you must know by heart

The equation families

Start with motion, forces, energy, thermal physics, waves and electricity, then check the remaining topics for your board. Space physics may add orbital-speed, redshift or Hubble calculations. This grouping helps organise practice; it does not replace a complete syllabus checklist.

Group them as families, not as a flat list. The brain stores connected structures far better than isolated lines — and half the equations are one rearrangement away from each other.

Memorize with units attached

Never learn an equation without its units. Units are the built-in error detector of physics: if your answer's units are wrong, your equation was wrong, and you can catch it in the exam. Students who master units also stop fearing the 'show that' questions, because they can verify each step.

Tariq in Dubai learned the memory techniques in my course and says he has not forgotten a single equation since. The method is unglamorous: write the full set from memory once a week, mark your gaps, repeat. Permanence comes from retrieval, not from re-reading.

Units are the built-in error detector of physics.

From recall to marks

Recall is the entry ticket; the marks come from the routine that follows. Write the equation, substitute with units, solve, and sanity-check the size of the answer. Four steps, every time, no shortcuts — this is the routine that stops students losing marks on calculations they know how to do, which is where most IGCSE physics grades are actually decided.