Independent, Dependent, and Control Variables

Brad sets up an experiment to see how the mass of a ball affects the distance it rolls off a ramp.  Identify the independent variable.

• distance traveled by the ball

• mass of the ball

• height of the ramp

• weight of the ball

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

This variable is the one thing that changed on purpose...

• Dependent Variable

• Control

• Independent Variable

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

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

"Does eating breakfast improve test scores?"

• eating breakfast or not

• the grade you got on the test

• what time you get up in the morning

• how tasty the breakfast is

You are testing how the amount you water a plant affects its growth. What would be the INDEPENDENT VARIABLE in this experiment.

• They type of pot you put the plants in.

• The amount you water each plant.

• The amount of sunlight the plants get.

• The amount the plant grows.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

An experiment is performed on plants to see how different liquids affect plant growth. Each plant in the experiment is given a different liquid; water, apple juice, or milk. Each plant has the same amount of soil, sunlight, and listens to the same music. In this investigation, the independent variable is ...

• The type of plant

• The amount of sunlight

• The type of music

• The type of liquid

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

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

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

A student wants to test the hypothesis of "If salt is added to water then the boiling point of water will decrease (go down)." What is the independent variable?

• Whether salt is added or not

• Boiling Point

• Amount of water

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

If you were testing the time it took for objects of different sizes to reach the ground after being dropped from 30 feet in the air, which of these would be the DEPENDENT VARIABLE?

• The time it takes for each object to hit the ground.

• The size of each object.

• The type of object you use.

• The height you drop the object from

What is the manipulated variable?

• what we are changing or testing

• what we are observing or measuring

• what we keep the same to make the experiment fair

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

Jamal is trying to perfect his basketball shots. He thinks getting closer to the basketball hoop before throwing the ball will help him score more points. In this situation, what is the manipulated variable?

• How close Jamal gets to the hoop

• How high Jamal jumps when he shoots

• How many points he scores

• How hard he throws the ball