Scientific Method and Variables Review

Research Question: Does the type of gasoline used in a car affect how fast the car can drive? What is the independent variable?

• Type of gasoline

• which car the gas is put into

• how fast the car can drive

• how much gas is put into the car

What would the INDEPENDENT variable be in an experiment testing which type of paper airplane goes furthest?

• the paper used

• the type of paper airplane

• the distance of each plane's flight

• how hard the plane is thrown

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

The independent variable is the ONE thing you _____.

• change
• keep the same
• experiment with
• investigate

 In a controlled experiment, the variable that is changed to test the hypothesis is called the –

• Controlled Variable
• Responsive Variable
• Dependent Variable
• Independent Variable

Walker is testing which fertilizer will grow the tallest grass.  The height of the grown grass is the __ variable.

• constant (same)
• independent (changes)
• dependent (measured)

Changes in the _________ variable causes changes in the _________ variable.

• independent; dependent

• dependent; independent

A student is planning an experiment to find out how if the height from which he drops a ball affects how high the ball will bounce. 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

Why do scientists use the scientific method?

• To make sure they get credit for their discoveries.
• To make sure their results are valid and can be performed by other scientists.
• So that other scientist don't get mad at them

If plants are exposed to sunlight, then they will grow taller.
What part of the scientific method is this an example of?

• Procedure
• Hypothesis
• Question
• Results