Experimental Variables

A student is testing the effect of shoe color on running speed.

What is the independent variable in this investigation?

• Shoe color

• Running speed

• Track surface

• Weather conditions

A student is testing the effect of shoe sole material on running speed.

What is the dependent variable in this investigation?

• Shoe sole material

• Running speed

• Track surface

• Weather conditions

A student is testing the effect of shoelace tightness on running speed.

What are TWO controlled variables (constants) in this investigation?

• Shoelace tightness

• Running speed

• Track surface

• Race distance

Hypothesis: If we increase the length of string on a pendulum, then it will a take longer time period to make one complete cycle back and forth.

What is the independent variable in this investigation?

• Time period

• Number of cycles

• Length of string

• Amount of mass on end of string

Hypothesis: If we increase the length of string on a pendulum, then it will a take longer time period to make one complete cycle back and forth.

What is the dependent variable in this investigation?

• Time period

• Number of cycles

• Length of string

• Amount of mass on end of string

A student is testing the effect of different amounts of mass on the flight length of one specific paper airplane design.

What is the independent variable in this investigation?

• Flight length

• Airplane design

• Amount of mass

• Force of throw

A student is testing the effect of different color paper on the flight length of one specific paper airplane design.

What is the dependent variable in this investigation?

• Flight length

• Airplane design

• Paper color

• Location of test flight

A student is testing the effect of different throw forces on the flight length of one specific paper airplane design.

What are TWO controlled variables (contants) in this investigation?

• Flight length

• Airplane design

• Throw forces

• Location of test flight

Hypothesis: If pine tree seedlings have a biodegradable root container, then they will grow faster than seedlings with bare roots.

What is the independent variable in this investigation?

• Amount of fertilizer used

• Amount of water

• Tree growth

• Root treatment

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

Hypothesis: If pine tree seedlings have a biodegradable root container, then they will grow faster than seedlings with bare roots.

What is the dependent variable in this investigation?

• Type of soil

• Amount of daylight hours

• Tree growth

• Root treatment

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-1