Dependent vs Independent Variables

Front

What is a dependent variable?

Back

The dependent variable is what YOU MEASURE or OBSERVE in an experiment. It changes in response to the independent variable.

Front

What is an independent variable?

Back

The independent variable is what YOU CHANGE in an experiment. It is the factor that is manipulated to observe its effect.

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 with different amounts of water, what is the dependent variable?

Back

The height of the plant.

Front

What is the relationship between independent and dependent variables?

Back

The independent variable is changed to see how it affects the dependent variable.

Front

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

Back

The temperature.

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If a scientist measures how far a ball rolls on different surfaces, what is the dependent variable?

Back

The distance the ball rolls.

Front

In an experiment, if you are testing how different fertilizers affect plant growth, what is the independent variable?

Back

The type of fertilizer.

Front

What is an example of a dependent variable in a study about how exercise affects heart rate?

Back

Heart rate.

Front

What is an example of an independent variable in a study about how different diets affect weight loss?

Back

The type of diet.