Understanding Variables in Experiments

In a plant growth experiment, a scientist wants to test the effect of different amounts of sunlight on the height of a plant. What is the independent variable in this experiment?

• The height of the plant

• The amount of sunlight

• The type of plant

• The soil type

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

In the same plant growth experiment, what is the dependent variable?

• The amount of sunlight

• The type of plant

• The height of the plant

• The soil type

In a motion and energy experiment, a student rolls a ball down a ramp and measures the distance it travels. What is the dependent variable?

• The height of the ramp

• The distance the ball travels

• The type of ball

• The surface of the ramp

In the same motion and energy experiment, what is the independent variable?

• The height of the ramp

• The distance the ball travels

• The type of ball

• The surface of the ramp

In the same motion and energy experiment, what are the control variables? (There are 2)

• The height of the ramp

• The distance the ball travels

• The type of ball

• The surface of the ramp

Tags

NGSS.MS-ETS1-1

In a plant growth experiment, a student uses the same type of soil for all plants. What is this an example of?

• Independent variable

• Dependent variable

• Control variable

• Random variable

In a motion and energy experiment, a student changes the type of ball used. What is this an example of?

• Independent variable

• Dependent variable

• Control variable

• Random variable

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

In a plant growth experiment, a student measures the number of leaves on each plant. What is this an example of?

• Independent variable

• Dependent variable

• Control variable

• Random variable

Maya designed an experiment to answer the following question:

How does the amount of water given to a lima

bean seed affect how tall it grows?

In this experiment, what variable should Maya CHANGE?

• the amount of water

• the kind of plant

• the type of soil

• the amount of sunlight it gets

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

In a well designed experiment, you should change how many variables?

• only one
• no more than two
• none at all
• as many as are needed

Tags

NGSS.MS-ETS1-4