Independent vs. Dependent Variables

An experiment is performed on plants to see how different liquids affect plant growth. Each plant in the experiment is given a different liquid; water, apple juice, or milk. Each plant has the same amount of soil, sunlight, and listens to the same music. In this investigation, the independent variable is ...

• The type of plant
• The amount of sunlight
• The type of music
• The type of liquid

An experiment is performed on plants to see how different liquids affect plant growth. Each plant in the experiment is given a different liquid; water, apple juice, or milk. Each plant has the same amount of soil, sunlight, and listens to the same music. In this investigation, what are the controlled variables?

• Type of plant, amount of music, and sunlight
• Water, apple juice, milk
• Plant growth

An experiment is performed on plants to see how different liquids affect plant growth. Each plant in the experiment is given a different liquid; water, apple juice, or milk. Each plant has the same amount of soil, sunlight, and listens to the same music. In this investigation, what is the dependent variable?

• Type of plant
• Water, apple juice, milk
• Plant growth

A student is planning an experiment to find out how the height from which he drops a ball affects how high the ball bounces. The dependent variable is the _____.

• Diameter of the ball
• Force acting on the ball
• Height that the ball bounces
• Height from which the ball is dropped

A student is planning an experiment to find out how the height from which he drops a ball affects how high the ball bounces. What is the control variable?

• The ball used
• The height the ball bounces
• Height of the ball being dropped

Lauren is convinced that book/movie combinations are better if you have read the book before watching the movie. Lauren's friend, Alyssa, thinks that movies are just as good even if you don't read the book. They got 40 of their classmates to help them solve their debate. 20 classmates read the book Divergent and 20 more classmates viewed the movie without reading the book. All participants went to see the movie on Friday at 6 p.m. They had their classmates do a survey (1-4 stars). Then, Alyssa and Lauren averaged the number of stars for both groups.
What is the independent variable?

• Watching the movie
• Reading the book
• Taking the survey

Mr. S set up an experiment to see how the mass of a ball affects the distance it rolls off a ramp. Identify the independent variable.

• Distance traveled by the ball
• Height of the ramp
• Mass of the ball

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

Mr. S set up an experiment to see how the mass of a ball affects the distance it rolls off a ramp. What is the dependent variable?

• Distance traveled by the ball
• Height of the ramp
• Mass of the ball

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

Mr. S set up an experiment to see how the mass of a ball affects the distance it rolls off a ramp. What is the controlled variable?

• Distance traveled by the ball
• Height of the ramp
• Mass of the ball

Jessie is concerned about how tired his classmates seem. He created a drink that he thinks will boost their energy. He recruits 100 classmates with a history of tiredness. He has 50 of them drink his new special energy drink. The other 50 drink a beverage that looks like the special energy drink, but is just water and food coloring. Both groups were told that they were getting the special drink that would boost energy. After 2 hours, 30 classmates in the first group reported having more energy and 8 classmates in the second group reported having more energy.
What is the independent variable?

• Amount of energy
• Special energy drink
• The food coloring