Independent vs. Dependent Variables

If the subject uses a basketball, then the basketball will bounce the highest.  What is the dependent variable?

• Bounce height

• Color of ball

• Type of ball

• Uses a basketball

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

NGSS.MS-PS3-1

You are testing how the amount you water a plant affects its growth. What would be the INDEPENDENT VARIABLE in this experiment.

• The amount the plant grows.

• The amount you water each plant.

• The amount of sunlight the plants get.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

What is a DEPENDENT VARIABLE?

• Variables that remain constant throughout the experiment

• A variable that is changed in an investigation.2

• A variable that is observed in an investigation to see if it responds to the independent variable.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

What is the RESPONDING or DEPENDENT VARIABLE (effect) in this experiment?"Does eating breakfast improve test scores?"

• eating breakfast or not

• the test score

• what time you get up in the morning

What is the independent variable in the dog data graph?

• Dog's Mass (kg)

• Year

Which axis is the independent variable in an X-Y line graph?

• X-axis

• Y-axis

The dependent variable is the one

• you measure.

• you change.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

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

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

What type of graph best shows change of dependent variable over time?

• Circle chart

• Line graph

• Bar graph

• Data table

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-1

In an experiment to test the effect of temperature on the solubility of sugar in water, what is the dependent variable?

• A) Temperature of the water

• B) Amount of sugar dissolved

• C) Type of sugar used

• D) Volume of water

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4