Independent and Dependent Variable

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

Research question: does the distance a person kicks a soccer ball effect how well they will do on their math test.  What is the dependent variable?

• How far they kick the soccer ball
• who the person is
• how well they do on the math test
• Type of soccer ball.

Mr. S. sets 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
• weight of the ball

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

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

"Does eating breakfast improve test scores?"

• eating breakfast or not

• the grade you got on the test

• what time you get up in the morning

• how tasty the breakfast is

You are testing how the amount you water a plant affects its growth. What would be the INDEPENDENT VARIABLE in this experiment.

• They type of pot you put the plants in.

• The amount you water each plant.

• The amount of sunlight the plants get.

• The amount the plant grows.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

An experiment is performed on plants to see how different liquids affect plant growth. Each plant in the experiment is given a different liquid; water, apple juice, or milk. Each plant has the same amount of soil, sunlight, and listens to the same music. In this investigation, the independent variable is ...

• The type of plant
• The amount of sunlight
• The type of music
• The type of liquid

Mr. Pransky wants to see how different surfaces affect how high a tennis ball can bounce. What is the independent variable?

• the different surfaces

• using the same ball

• how high they bounce

Steve wanted to see if the type of fertilizer made sunflowers grow larger. What is the independent variable 

• Type of fertilizer
• Size of sunflower
• type of sun flower

Steve wanted to see if the type of fertilizer made sunflowers grow larger. What is the dependent variable 

• Type of fertilizer
• Size of sunflower
• Type of sunflower

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

Molly investigated if the age of students caused them to be better drivers. What is the independent variable?

• Type of car
• Skill of driving
• Age of student