Independent vs. Dependent Variables in Science

When experimenting with the growth of a plant, a scientist uses three (of the same type of) plants, two different fertilizers, equal light, and equal water. What type of variable is the fertilizer?

• Dependent
• Independent
• Control
• Compound

Research Question: Does the type of gasoline put in a car effect how fast the car can drive. What is the independent variable?

• Type of gasoline
• which car the gas is put into
• how fast the car can drive
• how much gas is put into the car

Ms. S set up an experiment to see how the mass of a ball affects the distance it rolls off a ramp. What is the dependent variable?

• Distance traveled by the ball
• Height of the ramp
• Mass of the ball
• Where the experiment took place.

Tags

CCSS.6.EE.C.9

The independent variable is the ONE thing you _____.

• change
• keep the same
• experiment with
• investigate

Tags

CCSS.6.EE.C.9

 In a controlled experiment, the variable that is changed to test the hypothesis is called the –

• Controlled Variable
• Responsive Variable
• Dependent Variable
• Independent Variable

The measurable factor in an experiment is known as the: 

• Control
• Independent Variable
• Constant
• Dependent Variable

Alexandra is testing the quality of her Nikon camera against the camera on her iPhone.  The different cameras is the __ variable.

• constant (same)
• dependent (measured)
• independent (changes)

Tags

CCSS.HSS.IC.B.3

Khaleel is testing how the use of stress balls during testing affects a student's test score.  The students' average test scores who used the stress balls is the __ variable.

• dependent (measured)
• constant (same)
• independent (changes)

Tags

CCSS.6.EE.C.9

A(n) _____________ variable depends on or is changed by another variable.

• dependent
• independent

Tags

CCSS.6.EE.C.9

What effect does an increase in temperature have on the decaying process of apples?

• independent
• dependent

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-3