Scientific Method + Variables

What is an Independent Variable?

• the thing YOU change in an experiment. (CAUSE)

• The thing that changes BECAUSE of what you did. (EFFECT)

What is a Dependent Variable?

• the thing YOU change in an experiment. (CAUSE)

• The thing that changes BECAUSE of what you did. (EFFECT)

Fill in the framework blanks - I am trying to figure out if ________ effects _________.

• IV, DV

• DV, IV

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS3-1

The group not affected by the independent variable. It is used for comparison is called the ________?

• Control Group

• Constant

• IV

• DV

The variable or variables that stay the same in an experiment. It is what keeps the experiment fair. These variables are called ___________

• IV

• DV

• Control Group

• Constants

Christian’s pet turtle is a really fast runner (for a turtle). Christian enters him in a turtle race with a grand prize of $250 to the fastest turtle owner. The race takes place over three days, with one race per day. The race track is the same each day. One the night before the first race, Christian fed his turtle pasta. Before the second race he gave him broccoli, and before the third race he gave him turtle food.

WHAT IS A POSSIBLE HYPOTHESIS FOR THIS PROBLEM?

• IF Christian feeds the turtle broccoli, THEN it will run the fastest.

• IF the turtle runs the fastest THEN it is because it ate broccoli.

• The turtle will run the fastest if it eats broccoli.

Answer explanation

Hypothesis must be written If....Then.

If.... IV, then .... DV

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

Christian’s pet turtle is a really fast runner (for a turtle). Christian enters him in a turtle race with a grand prize of $250 to the fastest turtle owner. The race takes place over three days, with one race per day. The race track is the same each day. One the night before the first race, Christian fed his turtle pasta. Before the second race he gave him broccoli, and before the third race he gave him turtle food.

WHAT IS THE INDEPENDENT VARIABLE?

• The type of food the turtle eats.

• How fast the turtle runs.

Christian’s pet turtle is a really fast runner (for a turtle). Christian enters him in a turtle race with a grand prize of $250 to the fastest turtle owner. The race takes place over three days, with one race per day. The race track is the same each day. One the night before the first race, Christian fed his turtle pasta. Before the second race he gave him broccoli, and before the third race he gave him turtle food.

WHAT IS THE DEPENDENT VARIABLE?

• The food the turtle eats

• How fast the turtle runs

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-7

Christian’s pet turtle is a really fast runner (for a turtle). Christian enters him in a turtle race with a grand prize of $250 to the fastest turtle owner. The race takes place over three days, with one race per day. The race track is the same each day. One the night before the first race, Christian fed his turtle pasta. Before the second race he gave him broccoli, and before the third race he gave him turtle food.

WHICH COULD BE A CONSTANT FOR THIS PROBLEM? (there may be more than one, click ALL that apply)

• The same race track

• The same time of day

• the same food

• The same weather

Angelina noticed that when she listens to music, while she grooms her horses, the horses seem calmer and happier. She wonders if a calmer , happier horse would be faster in a race. For 3 days in a row Angelina ran her horse as usual, timing each run. For the next 3 days, she hooked up her iPod near the horse's ear. It played soothing, classical music. She then timed each run.

WHAT COULD BE A POSSIBLE HYPOTHESIS FOR THIS PROBLEM?

• IF Angelina's horse is calmer and happier THEN it will run faster

• Listening to music is good for a horse

• IF the horse runs faster THEN it is because it is calmer and happier

Answer explanation

Hypothesis must be If... Then

Always If... IV .. then... DV