Understanding Variables in Science Experiments

What is the role of an independent variable in an experiment?

• It is the variable that is changed.

• It is the variable that is kept constant.

• It is the variable that is ignored.

• It is the variable that is measured.

In the birdhouse experiment, what was the independent variable?

• The location of the birdhouses.

• The number of birds visiting.

• The type of bird seed used.

• The color of the birdhouse.

Why is it important to control variables in an experiment?

• To change the results of the experiment.

• To make the experiment more complex.

• To ensure the experiment is fair.

• To increase the number of variables.

In Sam's birdhouse experiment, why was it considered unfair?

• The birdhouses used the same food.

• The birdhouses were the same type.

• The birdhouses were in different locations.

• The birdhouses were different colors.

What was the dependent variable in the fish maze experiment?

• The number of fish in the experiment.

• The type of food given to the fish.

• The time it took for fish to complete the maze.

• The size of the fish.

In the fish maze experiment, what was the independent variable?

• The shape of the maze.

• The number of fish in each group.

• The type of fish used.

• Whether the food was microwaved or not.

In the bird song experiment, what was the independent variable?

• The number of birds in the experiment.

• The complexity of the bird songs.

• The type of diet the birds had.

• The length of the bird songs.

What was measured as the dependent variable in the bird song experiment?

• The number of birds.

• The type of diet.

• The location of the birds.

• The length and complexity of the songs.

Which of the following was a controlled variable in the bird song experiment?

• The species of the birds.

• The gender of the birds.

• The age of the birds.

• The diet of the birds.

Why is it important to only change one variable at a time in an experiment?

• To make the experiment more interesting.

• To ensure the results are due to the variable being tested.

• To confuse the participants.

• To increase the number of results.