Designing an experiment- IDENTIFYING VARIABLES

What is an DEPENDENT Variable?

• the ONE thing we change on purpose when designing an investigation

• the results of the change caused by the independent variable; what we MEASURE; can be quantitative and/or qualitative data

• these are the ways we change our independent variable

• these are the conditions that stay the same in order to have a “fair” investigation.

The one variable in an experiment that is purposely changed by the scientist is the________________.

• dependent variable

• independent variable

• data

• control

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

Research Question: Does the type of gasoline put in a car affect 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

Walker is testing which fertilizer will grow the tallest grass.  The height of the grown grass is the __ variable.

• controlled (same)

• independent (changes)
• dependent (measured)

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

Does changing the scent of a brand of dog food affect how much the dog eats?

Which variable is the part in red?

• independent

• dependent

Does the flavor of ice cream affect how fast the ice cream melts?

Which variable is the part in red?

• independent

• dependent

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

Does changing the scent of a brand of dog food affect how much the dog eats?

Which of these would be controlled for this experiment?

• how much it eats

• the brand of food

• the scent of food

• the president of the United States

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-8

If I study for my scientific method quiz, then I will have a better test score. What is the dependent variable?

• Scientific Method
• Studying
• Independent variable
• Test score

Does the flavor of the ice cream affect how fast the ice cream melts?

Which of these would be controlled for this experiment?

• the flavor

• how much ice cream of each flavor is used

• the speed of melting

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-3

NGSS.MS-PS3-4