Graphing

Front

What is the independent variable?

Back

The independent variable is the variable that is changed or controlled in a scientific experiment to test its effects on the dependent variable. In a graph, it is typically plotted on the x-axis.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

Front

Which variable always goes on the x-axis (horizontal)?

Back

The independent variable always goes on the x-axis.

Front

The variable that responds to the changes in the other variable is the ___ variable.

Back

Dependent variable.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

Front

What is the dependent variable on this graph?

Back

The dependent variable is the one that is measured in the experiment, which responds to the independent variable. For example, in a graph showing temperature changes over months, the number of visitors could be the dependent variable.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

Front

Which variable is the one that the experimenter compares the rest to?

Back

Control variable.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

Front

What is a control variable?

Back

A control variable is a variable that is kept constant during an experiment to ensure that the results are due to the independent variable.

Front

What does the y-axis represent in a graph?

Back

The y-axis represents the dependent variable in a graph.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-1

Front

What is the purpose of graphing data?

Back

Graphing data helps to visualize relationships between variables, making it easier to identify trends, patterns, and outliers.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-1

Front

What is a scatter plot?

Back

A scatter plot is a type of graph that uses dots to represent the values obtained for two different variables - one plotted along the x-axis and the other plotted along the y-axis.

Front

What is the slope of a line in a graph?

Back

The slope of a line represents the rate of change between the two variables plotted on the graph.