Variables in Science Experiments: Practice!

Scenario 1: A student is conducting an experiment to determine how different amounts of sunlight affect the growth of tomato plants.

What is the Independent Variable?

• Amount of sunlight

• Growth of tomato plants

• Type of tomato plant

• Type of soil

• Temperature

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

Scenario 1: A student is conducting an experiment to determine how different amounts of sunlight affect the growth of tomato plants.

What is the Dependent Variable?

• Amount of sunlight

• Growth of tomato plants

• Type of tomato plant

• Type of soil

• Temperature

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

Scenario 1: A student is conducting an experiment to determine how different amounts of sunlight affect the growth of tomato plants.

What are THREE controlled variables that are NOT independent or dependent variables? Select ALL that apply!

• Amount of sunlight

• Amount of water

• Type of soil

• Temperature

• Growth of Tomato Plant

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

Scenario: A scientist is investigating how the length of a pendulum affects the time it takes for one full swing.

What is the independent variable?

• Length of the pendulum

• Time for one full swing

• Mass of the pendulum bob

• initial angle

• air resistance

Scenario: A scientist is investigating how the length of a pendulum affects the time it takes for one full swing.

What is the dependent variable?

• Length of the pendulum

• Time for one full swing

• Mass of the pendulum bob

• initial angle

• air resistance

Scenario: Students are experimenting with different paper airplane designs to see which one travels the farthest distance.

What is the independent variable?

• Type of paper

• Launching force

• Air resistance

• Paper airplane design

• Distance traveled by the paper airplane

Scenario: Students are experimenting with different paper airplane designs to see which one travels the farthest distance.

What is the dependent variable?

• Type of paper

• Launching force

• Air resistance

• Paper airplane design

• Distance traveled by the paper airplane

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

Scenario: Researchers are studying how varying incubator temperatures impact the hatch rate of chicken eggs.

What is the independent variable?

• Hatch rate of chicken eggs

• Type of chicken eggs

• Humidity

• Egg turning frequency

• Incubator temperature

Scenario: Researchers are studying how varying incubator temperatures impact the hatch rate of chicken eggs.

What is the dependent variable?

• Hatch rate of chicken eggs

• Type of chicken eggs

• Humidity

• Egg turning frequency

• Incubator temperature

In a study exploring how different types of music affect heart rate, what would be considered controlled variables but NOT an independent or dependent variable? Select all that apply.

• Type of music

• Heart rate

• Volume of music

• Duration of experiment