Types of Variables

The variable that is changed on purpose is..

• Constant

• Control

• Independent Variable

• Dependent Variable

What is the DEPENDENT variable (effect) in this experiment?

"Does eating breakfast improve test score?"

• eating breakfast or not

• the grade you got on the test

• what time you get up in the morning

• how tasty the breakfast is

What is the INDEPENDENT  variable (cause) is this experiment? 
"Which type of medium is best for plant growth?" 

• height of plant (cm)
• type of medium (soil vs. sand)
• amount of medium
• types of plant

What is the DEPENDENT variable (effect) in this experiment?
"Do tall people jump further than short people?"

• height of the person
• weight of the person
• how fast the person runs
• how far the person jumps

What is the INDEPENDENT variable (cause)in this experiment?
"Which type of metal, copper or aluminum, conducts heat faster?" 

• size of metal
• types of metal
• time it takes to heat up
• shape of the metal

What is the INDEPENDENT variable (cause) in this experiment?
"Will fish school more if a predator is present?" 

• whether there is a predator or not
• number of fish school together
• type of predator
• type of fish

A student is planning an experiment to find out how the height from which he drops a ball affects how high the ball bounces. The dependent variable is the _____.

• Diameter of the ball
• Force acting on the ball
• Height that the ball bounces
• Height from which the ball is dropped

Mr. S set up an experiment to see how the mass of a ball affects the distance it rolls off a ramp. Identify the independent variable.

• Distance traveled by the ball
• Height of the ramp
• Mass of the ball

Mr. 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

Diego wants to know how drinking milk affects how tall Dora grows. Which is the independent variable?

• Drinking milk.

• Diego's growth.

• Dora's growth.

• Chocolate or plain milk.