Variables in Science

This variable is the one thing that changed on purpose...

• Dependent Variable

• Control

• Independent Variable

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

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

A student wants to test the hypothesis of "If salt is added to water then the boiling point of water will decrease (go down)." What is the independent variable?

• Whether salt is added or not

• Boiling Point

• Amount of water

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-2

If you were testing the time it took for objects of different sizes to reach the ground after being dropped from 30 feet in the air, which of these would be the DEPENDENT VARIABLE?

• The time it takes for each object to hit the ground.

• The size of each object.

• The type of object you use.

• The height you drop the object from

Why do we use graphs in science?

• to record and display data

• to show trends in data

• to predict what will happen if we extend the experiment

• all of these are correct

Sadie is testing how the age of a seed affects how fast plants grow. Look at the picture to see if you can figure out what makes her experiment unfair. Mark all that apply.

• She used different types of seeds/plants.

• The plants are in different pots.

• She did not plant very many plants.

• Seed age might not make a difference.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5