Understanding Experimental Design Concepts

Which variable in an experiment is changed by the scientist to test its effect?

• Dependent variable

• Independent variable

• Control variable

• Constant

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

What is the term for the variable that is measured in an experiment?

• Independent variable

• Dependent variable

• Control group

• Constant

Which of the following is an example of a constant in an experiment testing how sunlight affects plant growth?

• Amount of sunlight

• Type of plant

• Height of the plant

• Number of leaves

What is the purpose of a control group in an experiment?

• To change the outcome

• To compare results

• To measure the dependent variable

• To increase the number of variables

A student wants to test if the amount of water affects how fast a plant grows. Which is the independent variable?

• The type of plant

• The amount of water

• The height of the plant

• The size of the pot

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

If you are testing how temperature affects the rate at which ice melts, which variable should you keep constant?

• The amount of ice

• The temperature

• The time measured

• The rate of melting

You are conducting an experiment to see if fertilizer affects plant height. What would be a good control group?

• Plants with extra fertilizer

• Plants with no fertilizer

• Plants with less sunlight

• Plants with more water

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

A graph shows the number of seeds sprouted over 7 days for two groups: one with water and one without. What is the dependent variable in this scenario?

• Number of seeds sprouted

• Number of days

• Amount of water

• Type of seed

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

A student wants to know if the color of light affects how tall a plant grows. She uses red, blue, and white lights, and measures the height of the plants after 2 weeks. She keeps the type of plant, amount of water, and soil the same. Which part of her experiment is the independent variable?

• The type of plant

• The color of light

• The amount of water

• The height of the plant

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

You are given a graph that shows the effect of different amounts of fertilizer on plant height. How would you use the graph to determine if fertilizer has a positive effect on plant growth?

• Look for a decrease in plant height as fertilizer increases

• Look for an increase in plant height as fertilizer increases

• Look for no change in plant height

• Look for a decrease in the number of plants

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-1