Variables, Constants, and Controls

A student is testing how the amount of sugar affects the freezing point of water. What is the independent variable in this experiment?

• Freezing point of water

• Amount of sugar

• Type of container

• Amount of water

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

What is a constant in a scientific experiment?

• A factor that is measured

• A factor that is changed

• A factor that stays the same

• A factor that is observed

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

In an experiment, which variable is deliberately changed by the scientist?

• Dependent variable

• Independent variable

• Control variable

• Constant

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

Which variable is the effect that is measured as the outcome in an experiment?

• Independent variable

• Dependent variable

• Control variable

• Constant

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

A student is testing how the color of light affects plant growth. She uses red, blue, and green lights. She keeps the type of plant, amount of water, and soil the same. Which of the following are constants?

(Choose all correct answers.)

• Color of light

• Type of plant

• Amount of water

• Height of plant

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

In an experiment to test if different brands of paper towels absorb different amounts of water, which is the dependent variable?

• Brand of paper towel

• Amount of water absorbed

• Size of paper towel

• Type of water

Why is it important to have a control group in an experiment?

• To increase the number of variables

• To compare the effect of the independent variable

• To change the dependent variable

• To eliminate all variables

A student wants to test if the color of light affects how fast a plant grows. What is the control group in this experiment?

• Plants grown under colored lights

• Plants grown under normal white light

• Plants grown with no light

• Plants grown with extra fertilizer

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

A student is testing how changing the wing shape of a paper airplane changes how far it flied. What is the independent variable in this experiment?

• Distance of flight

• Wing shape

• Wind speed

• Type of paper

A scientist is testing how temperature affects the rate at which salt dissolves in water. She keeps the amount of water and salt the same in each trial. What is the independent variable?

• Amount of water

• Amount of salt

• Temperature

• Rate of dissolving

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4