VA Science 4.2 and 4.3

What is the independent variable in the following hypothesis?

HYPOTHESIS: If I spend more time studying, then my grades in science will improve.

• Time spent studying

• Improvement in grades

• Playing soft music in the background

• Location for studying science

Ellin is conducting a scientific investigation in which she measures a certain type of plant's growth in response to different amounts of fertilizer. What is the independent variable?

• Amount of fertilizer

• Plant growth

• Type of plant

• Temperature of the fertilizer

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Adam conducted a science experiment on the effect of different environments on plant growth. He put one plant in the closet and the other plant in the window at his house. He measured the growth of each plant weekly for six weeks. He then created a graph after he reviewed his data. What is the dependent variable of Adam's experiment?

• Total Growth of Plant

• Plant Environment

• The Effect of Different Environments

• Measurement over Six Weeks

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

A student performed an experiment that tested how many days it takes different types of grass seed to grow to a height of two inches. Four types of grass seed were tested, and the student recorded the number of days for each type to grow.

What is the independent variable in this experiment?

• type of grass seed

• two inches

• number of days

• sunlight

A student wants to test how different amounts of UV light affect the growth of the bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus. She wants to grow the bacteria in petri dishes for her experiment. Which of the following variables should NOT be held constant in this experiment?

• amount of UV light bacteria is exposed to

• amount of time to grow bacteria

• location of petri dishes while growing bacteria

• type of bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus)

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

A student is investigating how compost can increase the size of vegetables grown in the garden. To test this, two separate gardens will be grown that are almost identical. The only difference will be that one plot will use regular soil and the other will use compost enriched soil. What is the dependent variable in this investigation?

• compost enriched soil

• quality and size of vegetables

• two garden plots

• water supply

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

What is the independent variable in the following hypothesis?

"If the salinity of freshwater is increased, then the growth rate of harmful algae decreases."

• salinity of freshwater

• decreases

• algae

• growth rate

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Identify the independent variable in the following hypothesis. "If the amount of rainfall increases, then the occurrence of plant disease decreases."

• rainfall

• disease

• decrease

• plants

Students are testing the James River for dissolved-oxygen levels. They test in the Blue Ridge Mountains, at the river's source, and in Richmond Virginia, a highly populated area. What is the independent variable in this experiment?

• the location of the test sights

• the time of year for gathering samples

• the method for testing dissolved oxygen

• the time of day for gathering samples

The factor that is being measured in an experiment is called the ___.

• dependent variable

• independent variable

• constant

• hypothesis

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2