6th Grade Science TCAP Inquiry Practice

Students set up an experiment to investigate how temperature differences in water create currents. The students fill three identical tanks with the same amount of 20° C water. They put identical heaters in each tank. In the first tank, the heater is set to 20°C, the second is set to 30°C, and the 4th tank's heater is set to 40°C. The student places a drop of dye in the tanks to observe the water movement. Which of these is the dependent variable in the experiment?

• the size of the tank

• the temperature of the water

• the water movement in the tank

• the color of the dye in the water

Students set up an experiment to investigate how temperature differences in water create currents. The students fill three identical tanks with the same amount of 20° C water. They put identical heaters in each tank. In the first tank, the heater is set to 20°C, the second is set to 30°C, and the 4th tank's heater is set to 40°C. The student places a drop of dye in the tanks to observe the water movement. Which of these is the independent variable in the experiment?

• the size of the tank

• the temperature of the water

• the water movement in the tank

• the color of the dye in the water

Students set up an experiment to investigate how temperature differences in water create currents. The students fill three identical tanks with the same amount of 20° C water. They put identical heaters in each tank. In the first tank, the heater is set to 20°C, the second is set to 30°C, and the 4th tank's heater is set to 40°C. The student places a drop of dye in the tanks to observe the water movement. Which of these is a controlled variable in the experiment?

• the size of the tank

• the temperature of the water

• the water movement in the tank

• the color of the dye in the water

A student wants to determine if different colored boxes produce the same temperature as a white box. The student places white, blue, and red boxes of the same size in the sunlight. A thermometer is placed inside of each box. The student observes and records the temperatures in the boxes throughout the day. Which is the dependent variable in this investigation?

• size of the boxes

• repeated trials

• color of the boxes

• recorded temperatures

A student wants to determine if different colored boxes produce the same temperature as a white box. The student places white, blue, and red boxes of the same size in the sunlight. A thermometer is placed inside of each box. The student observes and records the temperatures in the boxes throughout the day. Which is the independent variable in this investigation?

• size of the boxes

• repeated trials

• color of the boxes

• recorded temperatures

A student wants to determine if different colored boxes produce the same temperature as a white box. The student places white, blue, and red boxes of the same size in the sunlight. A thermometer is placed inside of each box. The student observes and records the temperatures in the boxes throughout the day. Which would make the results of the investigation more reliable?

• Use bigger boxes

• Change the location

• Conduct repeated trials

• Use only one color box

A student wants to determine if different colored boxes produce the same temperature as a white box. The student places white, blue, and red boxes of the same size in the sunlight. A thermometer is placed inside of each box. The student observes and records the temperatures in the boxes throughout the day. Which are controlled variables in this investigation?

• size of the boxes

• location of the boxes

• color of the boxes

• recorded temperatures

In a biotic response experiment, two plants with the same mass are placed in identical pots. Both plants are given the same amount of water, soil, and sunlight. After one week, the test plant is given one tablespoon of liquid fertilizer. Two weeks later, the data shows the test plant has the greater mass. What is the independent variable in this biotic response experiment?

• amount of sunlight

• soil temperature

• liquid fertizer

• mass of the test plant

In a biotic response experiment, two plants with the same mass are placed in identical pots. Both plants are given the same amount of water, soil, and sunlight. After one week, the test plant is given one tablespoon of liquid fertilizer. Two weeks later, the data shows the test plant has the greater mass. What is the dependent variable in this biotic response experiment?

• amount of sunlight

• soil temperature

• liquid fertilizer

• mass of the test plant

In a biotic response experiment, two plants with the same mass are placed in identical pots. Both plants are given the same amount of water, soil, and sunlight. After one week, the test plant is given one tablespoon of liquid fertilizer. Two weeks later, the data shows the test plant has the greater mass. What are controlled variables in this biotic response experiment?

• amount of sunlight

• soil temperature

• liquid fertilizer

• size of pot