Scientific Method & Variables

A student wants to test the effects of type of exercise on heart rate.  What is the dependent variable?

• heart rate
• type of exercise
• amount of exercise
• time of day exercise occurs

How many variables can be tested in a controlled experiment?

• one
• two
• three
• as many as possible

What is a hypothesis?

• A hypothesis is the right answer to an experiment.
• A hypothesis is the wrong answer to an experiment.
• A hypothesis is an educated guess.

What step does every scientific experiment begin with?

• hypothesis
• question/problem
• procedures
• conclusion

Why do we want to test one variable at a time?

• Because it is hard to setup a data table with more
• To know what is causing the changes
• It is what has always been done
• No one really knows

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

How does the amount of yeast affect how high bread rises?

• independent
• dependent

Detailed list of STEPS and MATERIALS needed to perform an experiment.

• Hypothesis
• Background Knowledge/Research
• Conclusion
• Procedure

Variable that is MEASURED or OBSERVED; it DEPENDS on the independent variable.

• Control Variable
• Variable
• Dependent Variable
• Independent Variable