Understanding Variables in Experiments

Mr. Pransky wants to see how different surfaces affect how high a tennis ball can bounce. What is the independent variable?

• the different surfaces

• using the same ball

• how high they bounce

What is the dependent variable (effect) in this experiment?

"Do tall people jump further than short people?"

• height of the person

• weight of the person

• how fast the person runs

• how far the person jumps

Janet wants to see whether drinking coffee will improve productivity. What is the independent variable in this experiment (cause)?

• increase productivity

• Having coffee or not

• the brand of coffee

• the time drinking the coffee

Matias wanted to see if his dog would lose weight if he took the dog for a walk twice a day instead of just once a day. What is the independent variable in this situation?

• The breed of dog

• The dog's weight

• How many times they go for a walk each day

• How fast they walked

Matias wanted to see if his dog would lose weight if he took the dog for a walk twice a day instead of just once a day. What is the dependent variable in this situation?

• The breed of dog

• The dog's weight

• How many times they go for a walk each day

• How fast they walked

In a science experiment, you are testing how the amount of sunlight affects the growth of a plant. What is the independent variable?

• The growth of the plant

• The amount of sunlight

• The type of plant

• The soil used

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

In a math class, you are studying how the number of hours spent studying affects test scores. What is the dependent variable?

• The number of hours spent studying

• The test scores

• The subject of the test

• The number of students

In a physics experiment, you are observing how the speed of a car changes with different amounts of fuel. What is the dependent variable?

• The speed of the car

• The amount of fuel

• The type of car

• The color of the car

In a chemistry lab, you are measuring how the temperature of a solution affects the rate of a chemical reaction. What is the independent variable?

• The rate of the chemical reaction

• The temperature of the solution

• The volume of the solution

• The type of chemical used

In a biology study, you are examining how different types of fertilizer affect the height of tomato plants. What is the dependent variable?

• The type of fertilizer

• The height of the tomato plants

• The type of tomato plant

• The amount of water given

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1