Identifying Independent/Dependent Variables

Catherine is testing which soil will help grass grow the tallest.  The height of the grown grass is the __ variable.

• constant (stays the same)

• independent (it's what you change)

• dependent (it's what you measure)

What would the INDEPENDENT variable be in an experiment testing which  paper airplane design goes furthest?

• the paper used

• the paper airplane design

• the distance of each plane's flight

• how hard the plane is thrown

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

When experimenting with plants to see if they grow better with or without fertilizer, a scientist uses six bean plants and one type of fertilizer. What type of variable is the fertilizer?

• Dependent

• Independent

• Control

• Compound

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.  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

Mrs. Ahlers set up an experiment to see how the mass of a ball affects the distance it rolls off a ramp. What is the dependent variable?

• Distance traveled by the ball

• Height of the ramp

• Mass of the ball

• Where the experiment took place.

Daniel was investigating how fast it took mice to react to different sounds. Identify the independent variable.

• How fast mice reacted

• different sounds

• types of music

• Daniel

Students took a test after they had studied either in silence or with the television turned on. What is the dependent variable?

• silence

• television turned on

• score on test

• subject 

What is the DEPENDENT variable?

• water depth

• temperature

• meters

• 50

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

What is the INDEPENDENT VARIABLE?

• water depth

• temperature

• meters

• (C)

What is the dependent variable?

• temperature

• heart rate

• data table

• (C)

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-4