Independent and Dependent Variables

Front

What is an independent variable?

Back

An independent variable is the variable that is changed or controlled in a scientific experiment to test its effects on the dependent variable.

Front

What is a dependent variable?

Back

A dependent variable is the variable that is measured and affected in an experiment, responding to changes in the independent variable.

Front

In an experiment, if you change the amount of sunlight a plant receives, what is the independent variable?

Back

The amount of sunlight.

Front

In an experiment, if you measure how tall a plant grows in response to different amounts of water, what is the dependent variable?

Back

The height of the plant.

Front

How does changing the type of fertilizer affect plant growth? Identify the independent variable.

Back

The type of fertilizer.

Front

How does the temperature of water affect the rate at which sugar dissolves? Identify the dependent variable.

Back

The rate at which sugar dissolves.

Front

What is the relationship between independent and dependent variables?

Back

The independent variable is manipulated to observe its effect on the dependent variable.

Front

If you are testing how different types of music affect concentration, what is the independent variable?

Back

The type of music.

Front

If you are studying how the amount of sleep affects test scores, what is the dependent variable?

Back

The test scores.

Front

In a study about how exercise affects heart rate, what is the independent variable?

Back

The amount of exercise.