Day 2; Dependent & Independent variables

Dependent & Independent Variables

By William Katumba

Brainstorm;

1. ​Imagine you want to get the best grade on your next test. What are all the different things you could change or do that might affect your grade?

2. If you wanted to build a paper airplane that flies the farthest distance, what are all the different things you could change about the plane or the way you throw it?

Multiple Choice

The variable that is being tested, counted, or measured and is responding to the independent variable is known as 

• Control

• Constant

• Independent Variable

• Dependent Variable

Multiple Choice

The variable the is changed on purpose is..

• Constant

• Control

• Independent Variable

• Dependent Variable

Match

Mark notices he has dropped calls on his cell phone when he walks into his bedroom. His friend told him to try and wrap aluminum foil around his phone to get better signal. Mark talks on the phone 3 times while walking into his bedroom and drops 2 of the 3 calls. He wraps his phone in aluminum foil and talks on the phone 3 more times while walking into his bedroom. With the aluminum foil on his phone he only drops 1 phone call.

• Independant Variable

• Dependent Variable

• Control

Wrapping the phones in foil

Number of dropped calls

3 calls made without aluminum foil.

• Wrapping the phones in foil

• Number of dropped calls

• 3 calls made without aluminum foil.

Multiple Choice

Maddie wants to determine if the weight of the dog will determine the number of puppies in a litter. What is the independent variable?

• weight of dog

• number of puppies

Multiple Choice

Beth wants to know if increasing her exercise will decrease the time it takes her to run a mile. What is the dependent variable?

• time to run a mile

• amount of exercise

Multiple Choice

Yaara wants to determine if amount of fertilizer impacts grass growth

What is the Independent Variable?

• amount of fertilizer

• type of fertilizer

• grass growth

• type of grass

Multiple Choice

Yaara wants to determine if amount of fertilizer impacts grass growth

What is the Dependent Variable?

• amount of fertilizer

• type of fertilizer

• grass growth

• type of grass

Multiple Choice

The variable that is being tested, counted, or measured and is responding to the independent variable is known as 

• Control

• Constant

• Independent Variable

• Dependent Variable

Multiple Choice

Marilu wants to know the effect of the amount of pesticides on the size of apples

What is the independent variable?

• amount of pesticides

• size of apples

• amount of apples

• amount of pests

Multiple Choice

Mohammed wants to know if the deer population is influenced by the size of the wolf population.

What is the independent variable?

• number of deer

• number of wolves

• size of the deer

• size of the wolves

What affects how long it takes a pendulum to complete one full swing?

​Today's Question;

Open Ended

Why are variables important in scientific experiments?

Multiple Choice

What is the main difference between an independent variable and a dependent variable in an experiment?

• An independent variable is what you measure, while a dependent variable is what you change.

• An independent variable is what you intentionally change, while a dependent variable is what you measure as a result.

• Both are factors you measure in an experiment.

• Both are factors you intentionally change in an experiment.

Open Ended

Explain why it is important to maintain consistent experimental controls during a scientific investigation.

Open Ended

How do you think understanding variables can help you design better experiments in science?

Open Ended

What is the central question being investigated in today's experiment?

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best describes a controlled variable in an experiment?

• A factor that is changed to test its effect

• A factor that is measured as a result

• A factor that is kept the same to ensure a fair test

• A factor that is ignored during the experiment

Multiple Select

Which of the following are controlled variables in the pendulum experiment?

• String length

• Number of washers

• Period (time per swing)

• Release angle

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best describes a dependent variable in an experiment?

• The factor you intentionally change

• The factor you measure as a result of changes

• A constant factor in the experiment

• The equipment used in the experiment