How to Use the Grade 12 Physical Science Formula Sheet — Everything on It Explained

A-Game Academy Physical Science
NSC Exam Strategy • Physical Science

How to Use the Grade 12 Physical Science Formula Sheet — Everything on It Explained

Physical Science gives you both a formula sheet and a data sheet in the exam. Most students do not study either document properly before they write. This guide breaks down every formula, every constant, every table — so you know exactly where everything is and how to use it when the pressure is on.

The NSC Physical Science exam provides two documents with every paper — a formula sheet containing all the equations you need, and a data sheet containing constants, the periodic table, and the electrochemical series. Together they are the most powerful tools in the exam room. But they only help you if you know what is in them, where to find things quickly, and critically — what is not there and must come from memory.

This guide goes through every section of both documents, explains each formula and what it is used for, lists every important value on the data sheet, and tells you what you must still memorise yourself.

In this post you will learn:
  • Every formula on the Physical Science formula sheet — Paper 1 and Paper 2
  • What each variable means and the correct SI units to use
  • Every important constant and value on the data sheet
  • How to use the electrochemical series table to answer electrochemistry questions
  • What is NOT on either document and must be memorised
  • The most common formula and data sheet mistakes in the NSC exam

Paper 1 Formulas — Physics


On the Formula Sheet — Mechanics

Motion, Forces and Energy

Equations of Motion (Kinematics)
v = u + at  |  s = ut + ½at²  |  v² = u² + 2as  |  s = (u+v)/2 × t
  • v = final velocity (m·s⁻¹)
  • u = initial velocity (m·s⁻¹)
  • a = acceleration (m·s⁻²) — positive or negative depending on direction
  • s = displacement (m) — not distance, direction matters
  • t = time (s)
Use when: an object moves with uniform acceleration. Choose the equation that contains your unknown and the three known quantities. Free fall: a = g = 9.8 m·s⁻² downward (take downward as positive for falling objects). These equations do not apply when acceleration changes.
Newton's Second Law
F_net = ma
  • F_net = net/resultant force (N) — must specify direction
  • m = mass (kg)
  • a = acceleration (m·s⁻²) — same direction as F_net
The most-used formula in Paper 1. Always choose a positive direction first, then substitute forces with correct signs. See our full Newton's Laws study guide for the complete method.
Weight
W = mg
  • W = weight in Newtons (N) — weight is a force, NOT mass
  • g = 9.8 m·s⁻² (given on data sheet)
Weight always acts vertically downward. On inclined planes, decompose weight into W∥ = mg sinθ (along slope) and W⊥ = mg cosθ (perpendicular to slope). The normal force equals W⊥ on a flat surface with no other perpendicular forces.
Momentum and Impulse
p = mv  |  FΔt = Δp = mv_f − mv_i
  • p = momentum (kg·m·s⁻¹) — vector quantity, needs direction
  • FΔt = impulse (N·s) — same units as momentum
  • Δp = change in momentum (always final minus initial)
For conservation of momentum: Σp_before = Σp_after (in an isolated system). Take one direction as positive, stick to it. Objects moving in the opposite direction get negative signs. Read our full momentum and impulse guide.
Work, Energy and Power
W = FΔx cosθ  |  KE = ½mv²  |  PE = mgh  |  P = W/t = Fv
  • W = work done (J)
  • θ = angle between force and displacement
  • KE = kinetic energy (J)
  • PE = gravitational potential energy (J)
  • P = power (W = J/s)
Conservation of mechanical energy: KE + PE = constant (no non-conservative forces). Work-energy theorem: net work = change in KE. When friction is present, use W_net = ΔKE where W_net includes the work done by friction (negative). Read our work, energy and power guide.
On the Formula Sheet — Waves, Electricity and Electromagnetism

Waves, Circuits and Induction

Waves and Doppler Effect
v = fλ  |  f_L = f_s × (v ± v_L)/(v ± v_s)
  • v = wave speed (m·s⁻¹)
  • f = frequency (Hz)
  • λ = wavelength (m)
  • f_L = frequency heard by listener
  • f_s = frequency emitted by source
  • v_L = speed of listener, v_s = speed of source
Doppler sign rule: use + in numerator when listener moves toward source, + in denominator when source moves away from listener. When approaching: observed frequency increases. When receding: decreases. See our full Doppler effect guide.
Electric Circuits — Ohm's Law and Power
V = IR  |  P = VI = I²R = V²/R  |  W = VIt
  • V = voltage / potential difference (V)
  • I = current (A)
  • R = resistance (Ω)
  • P = power (W)
  • W = electrical energy (J)
Three versions of the power formula — choose the one that matches what you are given. For series circuits: same current everywhere, voltages add. For parallel circuits: same voltage across branches, currents add. Read our full electric circuits guide.
Electromagnetic Induction
ε = −N(ΔΦ/Δt)  |  ε_max = NBAω  |  V_rms = V_max/√2  |  I_rms = I_max/√2
  • ε = induced EMF (V)
  • N = number of turns of coil
  • ΔΦ/Δt = rate of change of magnetic flux
  • V_rms = root mean square voltage (effective value)
The negative sign in Faraday's Law indicates Lenz's Law — the induced EMF opposes the change causing it. V_rms and I_rms are the values measured by AC meters and used in power calculations. Read our electromagnetic induction guide.
Photoelectric Effect
E = hf  |  E = hf − W_o  |  c = fλ
  • E = energy of a photon (J)
  • h = Planck's constant = 6.63 × 10⁻³⁴ J·s (on data sheet)
  • f = frequency of light (Hz)
  • W_o = work function (minimum energy to eject an electron)
  • c = speed of light = 3 × 10⁸ m·s⁻¹ (on data sheet)
E = hf gives total photon energy. E = hf − W_o gives the maximum kinetic energy of ejected electrons. If E < W_o, no electrons are ejected regardless of intensity. Read our photoelectric effect guide.

Paper 2 Formulas — Chemistry


On the Formula Sheet — Chemical Calculations

Moles, Concentration and Gas Laws

Mole Calculations
n = m/M  |  n = V/V_m  |  n = cV
  • n = number of moles (mol)
  • m = mass (g)
  • M = molar mass (g·mol⁻¹) — calculated from periodic table
  • V = volume of gas (dm³ or L) or volume of solution (L)
  • V_m = molar volume = 22.4 dm³·mol⁻¹ at STP (given on data sheet)
  • c = concentration (mol·dm⁻³ or mol·L⁻¹)
These three formulas cover almost all stoichiometry and concentration calculations. Choose the one where you know two quantities and are solving for the third. Read our full stoichiometry guide.
Titration Calculations
c₁V₁/n₁ = c₂V₂/n₂
  • c₁, c₂ = concentrations of acid and base (mol·dm⁻³)
  • V₁, V₂ = volumes used (must be same units)
  • n₁, n₂ = mole ratios from the balanced equation
Always write the balanced equation first to get the mole ratio. Then substitute. The mole ratio comes from the coefficients in the equation — not from the volumes. Convert volumes from cm³ to dm³ by dividing by 1000 before substituting.
Equilibrium Constant
K_c = [products] / [reactants] (raised to stoichiometric coefficients)
  • Square brackets [ ] indicate molar concentration (mol·dm⁻³)
  • Pure solids and pure liquids are NOT included in K_c expressions
  • K_c > 1: equilibrium favours products. K_c < 1: favours reactants
The format is given but you must write it correctly for the specific reaction in the question. Raise each concentration to the power of its coefficient in the balanced equation. Read our chemical equilibrium guide.
Electrochemistry — EMF
E°_cell = E°_cathode − E°_anode
  • E°_cell = standard cell potential (V)
  • E°_cathode = reduction potential of the cathode (from data sheet)
  • E°_anode = reduction potential of the anode (from data sheet)
  • Both values come from the standard electrode potential table on the data sheet
Always look up both values from the electrochemical series table in the data sheet. Reduction always occurs at the cathode (more positive electrode potential). Oxidation at the anode (less positive). E°_cell must be positive for a spontaneous reaction. Read our electrochemistry guide.

The Data Sheet — Every Important Value Explained


The data sheet is a separate document provided with both papers. It contains physical constants, the periodic table, the table of standard electrode potentials, and other reference data. Many students ignore it during preparation and then struggle to find values under exam pressure.

Key constants on the data sheet — know where to find them
Speed of light
c = 3 × 10⁸ m·s⁻¹ — used in photoelectric effect (c = fλ) and wave calculations
Planck's constant
h = 6.63 × 10⁻³⁴ J·s — used in every photoelectric effect energy calculation (E = hf)
Gravitational acceleration
g = 9.8 m·s⁻² — used in all mechanics calculations. Use 10 m·s⁻² only if the question explicitly states it
Charge of electron
e = 1.6 × 10⁻¹⁹ C — used in photoelectric effect and some electrochemistry questions
Molar volume at STP
V_m = 22.4 dm³·mol⁻¹ — used in gas stoichiometry calculations at standard temperature and pressure
Avogadro's number
N_A = 6.02 × 10²³ mol⁻¹ — used when converting between moles and number of particles

How to use the electrochemical series table

The standard electrode potential table lists half-reactions with their E° values. It is arranged with the strongest oxidising agents (most positive E°) at the top right and the strongest reducing agents (most negative E°) at the bottom left. To find which species is oxidised and which is reduced in a galvanic cell: the species with the higher (more positive) E° value is reduced at the cathode. The one with the lower E° value is oxidised at the anode. Subtract anode from cathode to get E°_cell — a positive value means the reaction is spontaneous.

Electrochemical series exam tip: During past paper practice, always look up both E° values from the data sheet even when you think you remember them. Building the habit of using the table means you will never lose marks from a memory error on exam day. The table is always accurate — your memory is not always reliable under pressure. Read more in our electrochemistry guide.

What Is NOT on the Formula Sheet or Data Sheet — Memorise These


Must be memorised — not given in the exam
  • Newton's three laws — word for word definitions: The exact official wording. "A body will remain in its state of rest or uniform motion unless acted upon by a net force" — specific keywords required
  • Definition of momentum: Momentum is the product of mass and velocity — a vector quantity
  • Definition of impulse: Impulse is the product of net force and contact time
  • Le Chatelier's Principle: When an equilibrium system is subjected to a stress, it will respond to reduce the effect of that stress — the principle itself is not given
  • Definitions of oxidation and reduction: Oxidation is loss of electrons (OIL RIG). Not on the data sheet — must come from memory
  • IUPAC naming rules for organic chemistry: No naming rules are given. The functional group suffix table is on the data sheet but naming rules must be memorised
  • Properties of strong vs weak acids and bases: Strong acids dissociate completely. Weak acids partially. Not given — must be memorised
  • Friction formula: f = μN — not on the formula sheet, must be known
  • Standard trig values for wave problems: sin and cos values at 0°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 90° — not given
  • Resistance in series and parallel: R_total = R₁ + R₂ (series) and 1/R_total = 1/R₁ + 1/R₂ (parallel) — not on the formula sheet

Common Formula and Data Sheet Mistakes in the NSC Exam


Using g = 10 m·s⁻² instead of 9.8 m·s⁻²

Unless the question explicitly states "use g = 10 m·s⁻²", always use 9.8 m·s⁻². The data sheet gives 9.8 m·s⁻². Using 10 gives an incorrect answer and you will lose the accuracy mark. This costs students marks every year.

Not converting volumes before substituting into n = cV

Concentration is in mol·dm⁻³ and volume must be in dm³ (litres). If the question gives volume in cm³ or mL, divide by 1000 first. Substituting 25 cm³ as 25 instead of 0.025 dm³ gives an answer that is 1000 times too large.

Confusing the Doppler sign convention

The formula f_L = f_s × (v ± v_L)/(v ± v_s) requires careful attention to which sign to use. When the listener moves toward the source, use + in the numerator. When the source moves toward the listener, use − in the denominator. Getting this backwards inverts the effect and gives a frequency shift in the wrong direction. Read the Doppler effect guide for the full rule.

Not reading the restriction on the series/parallel resistance formulas

The resistance formulas are not on the formula sheet — you must remember that R_total = R₁ + R₂ for series and 1/R_total = 1/R₁ + 1/R₂ for parallel. Students who confuse these two produce entirely wrong circuit calculations. Know which formula applies before you start calculating.

Hunting for values during the exam instead of knowing the layout

The data sheet is not long — it is one or two pages. Before exam day, spend 5 minutes going through it and noting where each section is: constants are near the top, the electrochemical series is at the bottom, the periodic table is in the middle. On exam day, knowing the layout saves you time every time you need to look something up.

How to prepare with these documents: Print copies of the official NSC Physical Science formula sheet and data sheet from the DBE website and keep them next to you for every past paper session. Every time you use a formula, find it on the sheet first — even if you already know it. This builds the habit of using the documents quickly and confidently. By exam day, you should be able to navigate both documents in seconds. Find the official sheets at our Physical Science past papers guide.

For topic-level guidance using these formulas in actual exam questions, read our guides on Newton's Laws, momentum and impulse, electric circuits, stoichiometry, and organic chemistry. For a full look at how marks are distributed across both papers, read our Physical Science exam guidelines.

Knowing the formula is one thing. Knowing when and how to use it is another.

A-Game Academy teaches Grade 12 Physical Science live via Zoom — every formula, every topic, every question type across Paper 1 and Paper 2. Mr Sawaya — 30 years NSC experience, SACE registered, CAPS specialist. Max 15 students per class.

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