Science — Physics

Physics Lab Documentation Sheet

Grades K-12 | Aurora Curriculum Pack

Aurora Physics standard: Physics is the documented study of how the universe moves, transfers energy, and follows laws. Every measurement has uncertainty — document the limits of your measurement tools, not just the numbers they give you.

Experiment Identity

Experiment name: _______________________________________________

Date: _______________ Grade level: _______________ Facilitator: _______________

Physics domain (circle one): Motion/Forces Energy Waves/Sound Light/Optics Electricity/Magnetism Thermodynamics Simple Machines Gravity/Orbits

Variables — Define Before You Begin

Independent variable
(what you change):

Dependent variable
(what you measure):

Controlled variables
(what stays the same):

Research Question

Hypothesis — Use a Physics Law or Principle

State which physics principle or law predicts what will happen, then write your prediction:

Materials and Equipment

Measurement tool used: _______________ Precision of that tool: _______________

Procedure

Force/Motion Diagram or System Sketch

Draw the physical setup. For motion experiments, draw force arrows. For energy experiments, label energy inputs and outputs.

Draw your physics diagram here — label forces, distances, or energy flows

Quantitative Data Table

Trial	Independent Variable Value	Measurement 1	Measurement 2	Measurement 3	Average
1
2
3
4

Calculations — For Grades 5-12

Show your work. Include units at every step.

Formula used: _______________________________________________

Substitution: _______________________________________________

Result with units: _______________________________________________

Graphing the Results

Sketch a graph of your data below. Label axes with variable name AND unit. Draw a best-fit line if appropriate.

Draw your graph here — label axes, include units, plot all data points

Describe the relationship shown by your graph (direct proportion, inverse proportion, no relationship, other): _______________________________________________

Physics Law Connection — For Grades 6-12

Name the specific physics law or equation that describes your results (e.g., Newton's Second Law: F = ma, Conservation of Energy: KE + PE = constant). Explain how your data demonstrates this law:

Percent Error — For Grades 8-12

If you have a theoretical or accepted value, calculate your percent error:

% Error = |Experimental value - Accepted value| / Accepted value × 100

My calculation: _______________________________________________

Main source of error: _______________________________________________

Documented Conclusion

Restate your hypothesis, then report whether your data supported or contradicted it. Cite specific measurements as evidence. Identify one limitation of your experiment:

Aurora Pause

Name one technology, structure, or system in your community that works because of the physics principle you investigated today. How does a physicist's understanding of this principle make that technology possible?