Understanding Variables in Experiments

What are variables in science?

• Things that stay the same

• Things that can change

• Things that are always measured

• Things that are always controlled

What is the main goal of changing only one variable in an experiment?

• To make the experiment longer

• To test how one thing affects another

• To guess about nature

• To make things complicated

In an experiment, what is the group that does NOT receive the special treatment or change called?

• Experimental group

• Control group

• Variable group

• Test group

Which type of variable is changed on purpose by the scientist to see its effect?

• Dependent variable

• Controlled variable

• Independent variable

• Constant variable

In an experiment testing how vitamins affect squid lifespan, what is the independent variable?

• Squid lifespan

• Water temperature

• Amount of vitamins

• Type of food

What is the variable that a scientist measures to see the results of an experiment?

• Independent variable

• Controlled variable

• Dependent variable

• Constant variable

In an experiment testing how vitamins affect squid lifespan, what is the dependent variable?

• Amount of vitamins

• Water quality

• Squid lifespan

• Food type

What happens if a scientist does not keep controlled variables the same between different groups in an experiment?

• The experiment will take longer

• The results will be meaningless

• The experiment will be more fun

• Only one thing will be tested