Independent and Dependent Variables

The one factor that a scientist changes or tests during an experiment.

• Controlled Variable

• Dependent Variable

• Independent Variable

The variable that is measured or counted.

• Controlled Variable

• Dependent Variable

• Independent Variable

The factors that stay the same throughout the experiment.

• Controlled Variable or Constants

• Dependent Variable

• Independent Variable

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

In a controlled or fair experiment, how many independent variables can be tested at a time?

• one

• none

• two or more

• how ever many makes sense.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

Why is it important to have only one independent variable and to control the other variables when performing science experiments?

• So you can tell which factor is causing the change in the experiment.

• It does not matter, you can have as many independent variables as you want.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

Changes in the _________ variable causes changes in the _________ variable.

• independent; dependent

• dependent; independent

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

Ben makes five paper helicopters with different wing lengths. He drops them the same way from a height of two meters for five trials each. He records the amount of time it takes for each helicopter to fall to the ground.

What is the independent variable?

• Dropping the same way

• Wing Length

• Amount of time it takes the helicopter to hit the floor

• Dropping from the same height

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

Ben makes five paper helicopters with different wing lengths. He drops them the same way from a height of two meters for five trials each. He records the amount of time it takes for each helicopter to fall to the ground.

What is the dependent variable?

• Dropping the same way

• Wing Length

• Amount of time it takes the helicopter to hit the floor

• Dropping from the same height

Tags

NGSS.MS-ETS1-1

Ben makes five paper helicopters with different wing lengths. He drops them the same way from a height of two meters for five trials each. He records the amount of time it takes for each helicopter to fall to the ground.

What are two controlled variables? (Select 2 answers)

• Dropping the same way

• Wing Length

• Amount of time it takes the helicopter to hit the floor

• Dropping from the same height

On a Mythbusters experiment, they wanted to find out if elephants were scared of mice. They moved the dung and released a mouse as the elephant walked by. They repeated the experiment by moving the dung without the mouse. They recorded the reactions of the elephants.

What is the independent variable?

• The dung

• The elephant's reactions

• Whether or not the mouse was present