Variables in Science: Independent, Dependent, and Controlled

In an experiment to determine how the amount of sunlight affects the growth of plants, what is the independent variable?

• The type of plant

• The amount of water given to the plants

• The amount of sunlight

• The growth of the plants

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

What is a controlled variable in a chemical reaction experiment where you are testing how temperature affects the speed of the reaction?

• The temperature

• The speed of the reaction

• The amount of reactants

• The type of reactants

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-5

In an experiment to see how the angle of a ramp affects the speed of a ball rolling down it, what is the dependent variable?

• The material of the ball

• The speed of the ball

• The angle of the ramp

• The weight of the ball

When investigating how different fertilizers affect plant growth, what is the independent variable?

• The type of plant

• The type of fertilizer

• The amount of water given

• The growth of the plant

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

If you are testing how the surface area of a solid reactant affects the rate of a chemical reaction, what is the dependent variable?

• The surface area of the solid reactant

• The temperature of the reaction

• The concentration of the liquid reactant

• The rate of the chemical reaction

In an experiment to find out how the weight of a car affects its stopping distance, what is the independent variable?

• The type of car

• The weight of the car

• The stopping distance

• The speed of the car

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

What is a controlled variable in an experiment that investigates how the concentration of a solution affects the rate of evaporation?

• The concentration of the solution

• The rate of evaporation

• The temperature of the environment

• The volume of the solution

What effect does food color have on the amount of food fish eat? What's the DEPENDENT Variable?

• Size of the fish tank
• Type of food given to the fish
• Amount of food fish eat
• Color of the fish

What effect does studying with music have on student test scores? What's the INDEPENDENT Variable?

• Eating snacks
• Watching TV
• Using a computer
• Studying with music

What effect does light have on plant growth? What is the DEPENDENT Variable?

• Water consumption
• amount of light

• Plant growth
• Temperature

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS1-6