Scientific Experiments

What is the purpose of a control in an experiment?

• To keep everything the same

• To change the variable

• To measure the variable

• To make the experiment interesting

Answer explanation

The purpose of a control in a scientific experiment is to keep everything the same. This helps to ensure that any changes observed in the experiment are due to the manipulation of the independent variable, not due to other factors. Thus, the correct answer is 'To keep everything the same'.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-2

What is the independent variable in a plant growth experiment?

• Sunlight amount

• Plant type

• Water amount

• Plant location

Answer explanation

In a plant growth experiment, the independent variable is the factor that the scientist changes to observe its effects on the dependent variable. Here, the 'amount of water' is the independent variable because it is being manipulated to determine its impact on plant growth, which is the dependent variable.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

What is the dependent variable in a plant growth experiment?

• Sunlight amount

• Plant type

• Water amount

• Plant size

Answer explanation

In a plant growth experiment, the dependent variable is the outcome that is measured, in this case, it is the 'Size of the plants'. The other options like 'Amount of sunlight', 'Type of plant', and 'Amount of water' are independent variables that might affect the dependent variable but are not the outcomes we are measuring.

Why should we change only one thing at a time in an experiment?

• To complicate the experiment

• To confuse participants

• To get accurate results

• To save time

Answer explanation

It's important to change only one thing at a time in an experiment to ensure accurate results. This is because changing multiple variables at once can make it difficult to determine which variable led to the observed results. Keeping all factors constant except the one you're testing allows for clarity in the cause-effect relationship.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

What are the controlled variables in a plant growth experiment?

• Sunlight and plant type

• Water amount and plant location

• Water amount and plant type

• Sunlight and plant location

Answer explanation

In a plant growth experiment, the controlled variables are those which remain constant throughout the experiment, allowing the effect of the manipulated variable to be observed. In this case, the amount of water and the location of the plants are kept constant, enabling the experimenter to study the impact of other factors on plant growth. Therefore, 'Amount of water and location of the plants' is the correct answer.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

What does the dependent variable depend on in an experiment?

• The independent variable

• The controlled variables

• The scientist

• The weather

Answer explanation

The dependent variable in an experiment is the variable that is being tested and measured. It 'depends' on the independent variable, which is the variable the experimenter manipulates. Thus, the correct answer to the question is 'The independent variable'. Other options referred to other aspects of an experiment, but they do not directly influence the dependent variable.

What is the purpose of measuring the dependent variable in an experiment?

• To identify controlled variables

• To confuse participants

• To ensure accurate results

• To make the experiment interesting

Answer explanation

The dependent variable in an experiment is measured to ensure accurate results. This is because the dependent variable is what changes in response to the manipulation of the independent variable. By measuring it, we can observe and quantify the effect of changing the independent variable, allowing us to draw conclusions from the experiment.

What do you change and test in an experiment?

• Dependent variable

• Controlled variable

• Independent variable

• Control

Answer explanation

The term for the thing that you change and test in an experiment is called the 'independent variable'. This is the variable that is manipulated or changed by the experimenter to test its effect on the dependent variable. The other options, namely dependent variable and controlled variable, have different roles in an experiment.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

What is the term for things that remain constant in an experiment?

• Dependent variables

• Controlled variables

• Independent variables

• Controls

Answer explanation

In an experiment, 'Controlled variables' are the ones that remain constant or unchanged. The question asks for the term for things that stay the same, thus the correct answer is 'Controlled variables'. Other options like 'Dependent variables', 'Independent variables', and 'Controls' do not fit the context of the question.

What is the purpose of a control variable in an experiment?

• To keep everything the same

• To change the independent variable

• To measure the dependent variable

• To make the experiment interesting

Answer explanation

A control variable in an experiment is used to ensure that all other conditions remain the same while only the independent variable changes. This allows researchers to accurately measure the impact of the independent variable on the dependent variable. Hence, the correct answer is 'To keep everything the same'.