IGCSE Physics Formula Solver

Select your target, enter known values. Direct formulas chain automatically. Energy-conservation relationships require your confirmation. Note that the answer may be inaccurate depending on the scenario given, although this solver can solve most of the problems.

1. Select Topic
2. Enter Known Variables
Calculated Result
Target Value: --
Mark Scheme & Chain Working Out
Chain Solver Engine: Direct formulas are applied automatically. Relationships that require assumptions (e.g. conservation of energy) will ask for your confirmation.

Select your target and knowns, then click Smart Solve.

About This Smart Chain Formula Solver

This free IGCSE Physics tool helps you solve quantitative problems by automatically chaining formulas together. Instead of only supporting single-formula calculations, the solver can derive intermediate values step by step until it reaches your target variable — just like the working expected in Cambridge exam mark schemes.

How it works

  • Select the topic (Mechanics, Thermal, Waves or Electricity)
  • Choose the variable you want to find
  • Enter any known values you have
  • The solver chains formulas automatically and shows clear steps

Key features

  • Multi-formula chaining (not just one formula)
  • Energy conservation treated as conditional (asks for assumption)
  • Step-by-step working similar to exam mark schemes
  • Supports common IGCSE quantities and units
Tip: Relationships such as \( mgh = \frac{1}{2}mv^2 \) are only applied after you confirm the assumption (no energy losses). Ordinary formulas like \( F = ma \) or \( V = IR \) chain automatically.

How the Formula Chain Works

Many IGCSE Physics questions cannot be solved with a single formula. You often need to find an intermediate value first. This solver mimics that process by searching for a legal path from your known quantities to the target variable.

Example Chain

Known: mass \( m = 2\,\text{kg} \), height \( h = 5\,\text{m} \)
Target: speed \( v \) at the bottom

  1. Calculate gravitational potential energy: \( PE = mgh \)
  2. Apply conservation of energy (after confirmation): \( KE = PE \)
  3. Rearrange kinetic energy formula: \( v = \sqrt{\dfrac{2\,KE}{m}} \)

The solver performs these steps automatically and shows the working in order.

Supported Topics & Common Formulas

Mechanics

  • Speed, distance, time
  • Acceleration (\( v = u + at \))
  • Force & Newton’s second law
  • Weight, density, pressure
  • Momentum, work, power
  • Kinetic & potential energy

Thermal Physics

  • Specific heat capacity (\( Q = mc\Delta T \))
  • Specific latent heat (\( Q = mL \))
  • Temperature change calculations

Waves

  • Wave speed (\( v = f\lambda \))
  • Frequency and period
  • Wavelength calculations

Electricity

  • Ohm’s law (\( V = IR \))
  • Charge (\( Q = It \))
  • Electrical energy & power

Exam Tips for Formula Questions

Direct vs Conditional Formulas

Not every relationship can be used freely. The solver separates formulas into two types:

Direct Formulas

Always valid under normal conditions. These are chained automatically.

  • \( F = ma \)
  • \( V = IR \)
  • \( Q = mc\Delta T \)
  • \( v = f\lambda \)

Conditional Formulas

Only valid under specific assumptions. The solver will ask for confirmation.

  • \( KE = PE \) (no energy lost)
  • \( v = \sqrt{2gh} \)
  • Other conservation relations

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