Independent and Dependent Variables in Real World

What do you call the part of the investigation that IS manipulated?

• control

• independent variable

• dependent variable

• constant

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

What is the factor that an experimenter changes on purpose?

• Dependent Variable

• Independent Variable

• Constant

• Control

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.

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

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

What is the dependent variable in the following experiment? Plants grow more when exposed to classical music

• Exposure to classical music

• Normal exposure to noises with no music

• height of plant

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

Give an example of a real-world situation where you would identify independent and dependent variables.

• Independent variable: Amount of sunlight; Dependent variable: Growth of the plant.

• Independent variable: Size of the pot; Dependent variable: Number of leaves.

• Independent variable: Type of soil; Dependent variable: Amount of water used.

• Independent variable: Temperature; Dependent variable: Color of the flower.

Answer explanation

The correct choice identifies the amount of sunlight as the independent variable affecting the growth of the plant, which is the dependent variable. This relationship illustrates how changes in sunlight can influence plant growth.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

What is an independent variable?

• A variable that is not relevant to the experiment.

• The variable that is measured in response to changes.

• A variable that remains constant throughout the experiment.

• An independent variable is the variable that is changed or controlled in a scientific experiment.

Answer explanation

An independent variable is the one that is changed or controlled in an experiment to test its effects on the dependent variable. This distinguishes it from other variables that may remain constant or are measured.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

In an experiment measuring plant growth, what is the independent variable?

• The temperature of the environment.

• The factor being manipulated, such as sunlight or water.

• The type of plant being tested.

• The amount of soil used in the experiment.

Answer explanation

The independent variable is the factor being manipulated in the experiment. In this case, it refers to elements like sunlight or water that are intentionally changed to observe their effect on plant growth.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

In an experiment measuring the effect of sunlight on plant growth, what is the dependent variable?

• Plant growth

• Temperature of the environment

• Type of soil

• Amount of water

Answer explanation

In this experiment, the dependent variable is what you measure to see the effect of sunlight. Since the goal is to assess how sunlight influences growth, 'plant growth' is the correct choice.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

In a study to determine the effect of temperature on the solubility of a salt, what is the independent variable?

• Temperature

• Amount of salt

• Volume of water

• Time of stirring

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-4