Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Science Double Award 4SD0
Every core Biology, Chemistry and Physics formula in one place — built for the Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Science Double Award (4SD0) two-papers-per-subject structure.
Our reference sheets are free to download — save this one as PDF for offline revision.
Aligned with the latest 2026 syllabus and board specifications. This sheet is prepared to match your exam board’s official specifications for the 2026 exam series.
Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Science Double Award (4SD0) is a combined qualification covering Biology, Chemistry and Physics across six papers (two per subject). This reference sheet brings together every essential equation, formula and quantitative relationship across all three sciences, plus exam technique tailored to the Edexcel paper structure.
Biology equations: magnification, BMI, photosynthesis, respiration, genetics
Chemistry formulas: moles, gas volumes, concentration, yield, atom economy
Physics equations: motion, forces, energy, waves, electricity, pressure
Exam technique for the six-paper Double Award structure
Foundation Physics equations that appear across both Edexcel Physics papers (1P and 2P).
Describing how objects move — average values for SDA papers.
Average speed
speed (m/s) = distance (m) ÷ time (s) Acceleration
a = (v − u) ÷ t (m/s²) Equation of motion
v² = u² + 2as u = initial velocity, v = final velocity, a = acceleration, s = distance, t = time.
Linking force, mass and acceleration.
Newton's Second Law
F = m × a (force in N, mass in kg, acceleration in m/s²) Weight
W = m × g (g = 10 N/kg on Earth for Edexcel) Momentum
p = m × v (kg·m/s) Quantifying energy transferred and rate of transfer.
Work done
W = F × d (J = N × m) Power
P = W ÷ t (watts = joules ÷ seconds) Kinetic energy
KE = ½ × m × v² Gravitational PE
GPE = m × g × h Efficiency
efficiency = (useful energy out ÷ total energy in) × 100% Mass, volume and force per unit area.
Density
ρ = m ÷ V (kg/m³ or g/cm³) Pressure
p = F ÷ A (Pa = N/m²) Pressure in a fluid
p = ρ × g × h Universal wave equation across light, sound and water waves.
Wave speed
v = f × λ (m/s = Hz × m) Period & frequency
T = 1 ÷ f Apply to all wave types — same equation for sound, light and water waves.
Current, voltage, resistance and electrical energy.
Ohm's Law
V = I × R Electrical power
P = I × V (also P = I²R) Energy transferred
E = P × t (also E = I × V × t) Charge
Q = I × t Transformer turns ratio
Vp ÷ Vs = Np ÷ Ns The calculation-heavy chemistry that appears across Edexcel papers 1C and 2C.
Foundations for every mole calculation.
Relative atomic mass (Ar)
Average mass of an atom relative to 1/12 the mass of carbon-12 Relative formula mass (Mr)
Sum of Ar values of all atoms in the formula Example: Mr of CaCO₃ = 40 + 12 + (16×3) = 100
The chemist's counting unit — central to every quantitative question.
Moles from mass
n = mass (g) ÷ Mr Mass from moles
mass (g) = n × Mr Avogadro's number
1 mole = 6.02 × 10²³ particles Used in Edexcel for gas-volume calculations at r.t.p.
Moles of gas (r.t.p.)
n = volume (dm³) ÷ 24 Volume of gas (r.t.p.)
V (dm³) = n × 24 r.t.p. = 20 °C and 1 atmosphere. 1 dm³ = 1000 cm³.
Linking moles, volume and concentration of solutions.
Concentration (mol/dm³)
C = n ÷ V (V in dm³) Concentration (g/dm³)
C = mass (g) ÷ V (dm³) Conversion
concentration (g/dm³) = concentration (mol/dm³) × Mr Measuring efficiency of chemical reactions.
Percentage yield
% yield = (actual yield ÷ theoretical yield) × 100 Atom economy
% atom economy = (Mr of desired product ÷ sum of Mr of all products) × 100 Quantifying how fast a reaction proceeds.
Mean rate
rate = Δ amount of reactant used (or product formed) ÷ time Units: g/s, cm³/s, or mol/s depending on what is measured.
The numerical biology that consistently appears across Edexcel papers 1B and 2B.
Used in microscopy questions.
Magnification
magnification = image size ÷ actual size Actual size
actual size = image size ÷ magnification Convert all measurements to the same units before calculating (1 mm = 1000 μm).
Why small organisms exchange materials by diffusion but large ones need transport systems.
SA:V ratio (cube)
SA = 6 × side² ; V = side³ ; ratio = SA ÷ V As size increases, SA:V decreases — driving the need for circulatory and gas-exchange systems.
Health assessment formula referenced in human biology topics.
BMI
BMI = mass (kg) ÷ [height (m)]² Healthy range: 18.5–24.9; overweight: 25.0–29.9; obese: ≥ 30.0.
The reaction that converts light energy into chemical energy.
Word equation
carbon dioxide + water → glucose + oxygen (in light, using chlorophyll) Symbol equation
6CO₂ + 6H₂O → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ How cells release energy from glucose.
Aerobic (with O₂)
C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ → 6CO₂ + 6H₂O (releases ~ a lot of energy) Anaerobic in animals
glucose → lactic acid (releases less energy) Anaerobic in yeast
glucose → ethanol + carbon dioxide (fermentation) Predicting offspring genotypes and phenotypes.
Monohybrid cross (Aa × Aa)
Phenotype ratio 3 : 1 (dominant : recessive) Test cross (Aa × aa)
Phenotype ratio 1 : 1 Dihybrid cross (AaBb × AaBb)
Phenotype ratio 9 : 3 : 3 : 1 Use a 2×2 Punnett square for monohybrid; a 4×4 for dihybrid crosses.
Why food chains are usually short.
10% rule
Approximately 10% of energy is transferred between trophic levels Efficiency
% efficiency = (energy transferred to next level ÷ energy available at this level) × 100 Energy lost as heat (respiration), in faeces, urine and uneaten parts.
Get the units right — Edexcel awards marks for correct units in calculation answers.
metre (m) · kilogram (kg) · second (s) · ampere (A) · kelvin (K) 1 km = 1000 m · 1 m = 100 cm · 1 cm = 10 mm · 1 mm = 1000 μm 1 dm³ = 1000 cm³ = 1 litre · 1 m³ = 1000 dm³ 1 kg = 1000 g · 1 tonne = 1000 kg · 1 kJ = 1000 J Gravitational field strength
g = 10 N/kg (Earth, Edexcel approximation) Molar gas volume
24 dm³/mol at r.t.p. Avogadro constant
6.02 × 10²³ /mol Boost your Cambridge exam confidence with these proven study strategies from our tutoring experts.
Edexcel awards method marks even if the final answer is wrong. Write out the equation, substitution and answer with units — every time.
Double Award has 2 papers per subject. Build a 6-week revision plan with one paper per week — rotate through Biology, Chemistry, Physics so no subject decays.
Most calculation marks are lost on units (g vs kg, cm³ vs dm³, mm vs m). Convert to SI units before substituting into any equation.
Edexcel provides some equations in the paper but expects you to recall others. Highlight which ones must be memorised and drill them weekly.
Quick answers about this free PDF and how to use it for exam revision and active recall.
Yes. This Tutopiya formula sheet is free to use and you can download it as a PDF from this page for offline revision. There is no payment or account required for the PDF download.
This page groups key Combined Science formulas in one place for revision. Master Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Science Double Award (4SD0) with this 2026 reference sheet. Covers all core Biology, Chemistry and Physics formulas, equations and exam technique for the six-paper qualification. Always cross-check with your official syllabus and past papers for your exam session.
No. In the exam you must follow only what your exam board allows in the hall—usually the official formula booklet or data sheet where provided. This page is a revision and teaching aid, not a replacement for board-issued materials.
It is written for students preparing for assessments at Secondary in Combined Science, including classroom revision, homework support, and independent study. Teachers and tutors can also share it as a quick reference.
Work through past paper questions, quote the correct formula before substituting values, and check units and notation every time. Pair this sheet with timed practice and mark schemes so you see how examiners expect working to be set out.
Explore Tutopiya’s study tools, past paper finder, and revision checklists linked from our tools hub, or book a trial lesson with a subject specialist for personalised support alongside this formula reference.
Work through past-paper calculations across Biology, Chemistry and Physics with an experienced Edexcel IGCSE tutor. We focus on equation recall, working layout and the six-paper exam structure.
Pair this reference sheet with past papers, revision checklists, and planners — all free on our study tools hub.
This reference sheet aligns with Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Science (Double Award) (4SD0) syllabus content for 2026 examinations.
Always state the equation, substitute values, then give the final answer with correct units — Edexcel awards method, substitution and answer marks separately.