Independent and Dependent Variables

Front

What is an independent variable?

Back

The independent variable is the one thing that you can change or manipulate in an experiment.

Front

What is a dependent variable?

Back

The dependent variable is the outcome or effect that you measure in an experiment, which is affected by the independent variable.

Front

In the soccer ball experiment, what is the independent variable?

Back

The size of the soccer ball.

Front

In the soccer ball experiment, what is the dependent variable?

Back

The seconds the ball stays in the air.

Front

In the fish tank experiment, what is the independent variable?

Back

The size of the fish tank.

Front

In the fish tank experiment, what is the dependent variable?

Back

How large the fish will grow.

Front

What does it mean to manipulate a variable in an experiment?

Back

To manipulate a variable means to change it intentionally to observe how it affects the dependent variable.

Front

Why is it important to identify independent and dependent variables in an experiment?

Back

Identifying these variables helps to clarify the relationship being tested and ensures the experiment is structured correctly.

Front

Can there be more than one independent variable in an experiment?

Back

Typically, there should only be one independent variable to ensure clear results, but sometimes multiple independent variables can be tested.

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.