10th Grade Variables (Scientific Method)

The one factor that a scientist changes during an experiment. (It affects the results of the experiment).

• Controlled Variable

• Independent Variable

• Dependent Variable

The variable that is measured. It is the result of the experiment.

• Controlled Variable

• Independent Variable

• Dependent Variable

The factors that stay the same throughout the experiment.

• Controlled Variable

• Independent Variable

• Dependent Variable

Why is it important to have only one independent variable and to control the other variables when performing science experiments?

• So you can tell which factor is causing the change in the experiment and get more accurate results

• It does not matter, you can have as many independent variables as you want

• None of these answers are correct

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

In class, we completed a foam animal lab to see if water temperature had an effect on the time it took for the foam animal to form.

What was the dependent variable?

• The temperature of the water

• The type of foam animal

• The amount of time it took for the animal to form

• The type of cup/beaker used

Cindy wanted to find out how the amount of sunlight affects the growth of plants. She placed two tomato plants in 10 inch pots with potting soil and watered them ¼ cup each day. One plant was placed under a cardboard box and one was placed in the sunlight. She measured the growth of the plant each week for three weeks.

What are two CONTROLLED VARIABLES? (Select 2)

• Using the same type of plant

• The growth of the plant

• Each plant was placed in a 10 inch pot

• One plant is in the sunlight and the other is under a box

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

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

• Type of car

• Age of student

• Skill of driving

Ben makes five paper helicopters with different wing lengths. He drops them the same way from a height of two meters for five trials each. He records the amount of time it takes for each helicopter to fall to the ground.

What is the independent variable?

• Dropping the same way

• Wing Length

• Amount of time it takes the helicopter to hit the floor

• Dropping from the same height

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

When creating a graph, which variable would be located on the y-axis?

• Dependent Variable

• Independent Variable

• Controlled Variable/Constant

Cindy wanted to find out how the amount of sunlight affects the growth of plants. She placed two tomato plants in 10 inch pots with potting soil and watered them ¼ cup each day. One plant was placed under a cardboard box and one was placed in the sunlight. She measured the growth of the plant each week for three weeks.

What is the dependent variable?

• Using the same type of plant

• The growth of the plant

• Each plant was placed in a 10 inch pot

• One plant is in the sunlight and the other is under a box

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5