Fair Tests in Science Experiments 5th Grade

What is the main purpose of conducting a fair test in an experiment?

• To make sure only one factor is changed at a time

• To make the experiment more fun

• To finish the experiment quickly

• To use as many materials as possible

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

What do scientists call the changing factors in an experiment?

• Variables

• Constants

• Results

• Controls

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

If you want to test which toy car is fastest, what should you do to make the test fair?

• Start both cars in the same way

• Push one car and release the other gently

• Use different ramps for each car

• Change the color of one car

Tags

NGSS.3-5-ETS1-3

NGSS.3-PS2-2

Why was the test with the toy cars not fair when one was pushed and the other was released gently?

• One car had an unfair advantage

• Both cars were the same color

• The ramp was too short

• The cars were too small

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

In the plant experiment, what mistake was made that made the test unfair?

• Different types of soil were used

• All plants were watered the same

• The pots were the same size

• The seeds were the same kind

Tags

NGSS.MS-ETS1-1

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

What should you do to ensure a fair test when testing the effect of fertilizer on plants?

• Use the same kind of soil for all plants

• Change the amount of water for each plant

• Use different seeds for each pot

• Put the pots in different locations

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

What is a variable in an experiment?

• A factor that is changed

• A type of plant

• A measuring tool

• A result of the experiment

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

You should only have one variable in a scientific experiment. Why is it important to keep all other conditions the same in an experiment?

• So you know which factor caused the result

• So the experiment is faster

• So you can use more materials

• So the experiment is more colorful

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-2

What could happen if you change more than one factor in an experiment?

• You won’t know which factor caused the result

• The experiment will be more accurate

• The experiment will be easier

• You will get the same results every time

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

Which of the following is an example of a fair test?

• Changing only the type of fertilizer and keeping everything else the same

• Changing the soil and the amount of water at the same time

• Using different seeds for each pot

• Putting some pots in the sun and others in the shade