Dependent and Independent Variables

Front

What is an independent variable?

Back

An independent variable is the factor that is changed or controlled in an experiment to test its effects on the dependent variable.

Front

What is a dependent variable?

Back

A dependent variable is the factor that is measured or observed in an experiment, which is affected by changes in the independent variable.

Front

In an experiment, if you change the amount of sunlight a plant receives, what is the independent variable?

Back

The amount of sunlight.

Front

In an experiment, if you measure how tall a plant grows based on different amounts of water, what is the dependent variable?

Back

The height of the plant.

Front

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

Back

A control group is used as a standard for comparison to see how the independent variable affects the dependent variable.

Front

If you are testing how different types of soil affect plant growth, what is the independent variable?

Back

The type of soil.

Front

If you are measuring how many pages a student reads based on the time they spend reading, what is the dependent variable?

Back

The number of pages read.

Front

What does it mean to 'control' a variable in an experiment?

Back

To control a variable means to keep it constant so that it does not affect the outcome of the experiment.

Front

In a study about how temperature affects ice cream melting, what is the independent variable?

Back

The temperature.

Front

In a study about how different brands of batteries affect how long a toy runs, what is the dependent variable?

Back

The amount of time the toy runs.