Variables

Before we create a hypothesis, we must first;

• Make an observation and ask a question

• Analyse the data

• Collect data

• Design the experiment

The variable that you keep the same during an experiment

• Hypothesis

• Dependent variable

• Independent variable

• Control variable

The variable that you change during an experiment

• Hypothesis

• Dependent variable

• Independent variable

• Control variable

The variable that you measure during an experiment

• Hypothesis

• Dependent variable

• Independent variable

• Control variable

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

Hypothesis should be in this format;

• If (independent variable), Then (dependent variable), becuase (a scientific reason)

• If (dependent variable), Then (independent variable), becuase (a scientific reason)

• a numbered step by step description on how to do the experiment

• If (independent variable), Then (control variables), becuase (a scientific reason)

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

Which is the best hypothesis about paper helicopters?

• Some helicopters will take longer to reach the ground

• Helicopters with big "wings" will take longer to reach the ground.

• The length of the helicopter parts and the weight of the helicopter will change the time it takes to reach the ground

• Some helicopters will reach the ground faster

• Helicopters with 6cm "wings" will take longer to reach the ground than helicopters with 3cm "wings"

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

A student changes how much water they give to a bean plant. After 4 weeks, they measure how many leaves each plant has. They kept the amount of sunlight and the soil the plants grew in the same.

What is a control variable?

• The amount of sunlight.

• The amount of water

• How many leaves on each plant

• How many beans on each plant

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

A student changes how much water they give to a bean plant. After 4 weeks, they measure how many leaves each plant has. They kept the amount of sunlight and the soil the plants grew in the same.

What is the independent variable?

• The amount of sunlight

• The amount of water

• How many leaves on each plant

• How many beans on each plant

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

Larry has a tree in his yard that has lots of leaves on it, while his neighbor has a tree with very few leaves. Larry’s tree has a lot more birds building nests in it than his neighbor.

Hypothesis:  

Trees with more leaves have more birds building nests in them.

What is the dependent variable?

• The type of tree

• The amount of leaves

• The amount of birds building nests

• The time of day

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Larry has a tree in his yard that has lots of leaves on it, while his neighbor has a tree with very few leaves. Larry’s tree has a lot more birds building nests in it than his neighbor.

Hypothesis:  

Trees with more leaves have more birds building nests in them.

Which type of variable is the time of year when the data is collected?

• Control variable

• Dependent variable

• Independent variable

• Evaluation

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1