Independent and Dependent 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 the plant receives.

Front

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

Back

The growth of the plant.

Front

What is the purpose of identifying independent and dependent variables in an experiment?

Back

Identifying these variables helps to understand the relationship between them and to determine how changes in one affect the other.

Front

If a scientist tests how different temperatures affect the rate of a chemical reaction, what is the independent variable?

Back

The temperature.

Front

If a scientist measures how many seeds germinate in different types of soil, what is the dependent variable?

Back

The number of seeds that germinate.

Front

In a study comparing test scores of students who study and those who do not, what is the independent variable?

Back

Whether the students study or not.

Front

In an experiment measuring how exercise affects heart rate, what is the dependent variable?

Back

The heart rate.

Front

What is a controlled variable?

Back

A controlled variable is a factor that is kept constant throughout an experiment to ensure that the results are due to the independent variable.