Independent Variable
The time it takes to run a mile depends on the time of day it is being run. What is the independent variable?
The time of day
Does the height you drop a ball from affect the height it will bounce? What is the dependent variable?
The height the ball bounces after being dropped.
Which variable needs to be controlled in the following experiment:
Which brand of laundry detergent will get a dirty spot out of clothes best?
-Brand of detergent
-Type of clothing that is stained
Type of clothing that is stained
Does colored water evaporate faster than clear water?
________ variable: the time it take the water to evaporate
Dependent Variable
A student ran an experiment to test how the type of water given to a plant affects its growth.
Plant A: 2 mL of sugar water
Plant B: 2.5 mL of salt water
Plant C: 2 mL of tap water
Each plant received different amounts of water
The higher the temperature of the water, the faster an egg will cook. What is the independent variable?
The temperature of the water
Can a person run faster in tennis shoes or sandals? What is the dependent variable?
The time it takes the person to run the distance.
Which variable needs to be controlled in the following experiment:
Which brand of paper towel absorbs the most liquid?
-Type of liquid being absorbed
-Brand of Paper towel
-Type of liquid being absorbed
Which material makes the best insulator: plastic, metal, or Styrofoam?
_______ variable: the size of the container the material is stored in
The control variable
A students wanted to test how long to bake chocolate chip cookies.
Trial 1: Student tested baking 12 chocolate chip cookies at 250 degrees for 10 minutes.
Trial 2: Student tested baking twelve chocolate chip cookies at 300 degrees for 15 minutes.
Trial 3: Student tested baking a dozen chocolate chip cookies at 275 degrees for 12 minutes.
Each trial was tested at a different temperature.
Grass will grow faster if it is fertilized. What would the independent variable in this experiment be?
The use of fertilizer
Does wearing a dark color shirt increase your body temperature more than wearing a light color shirt? What is the dependent variable?
The body temperature of the person wearing the shirts.
Which variable needs to be controlled in the following experiment:
Which brand of soda reacts the most with Mentos?
-Brand of Soda
-Type of Mentos used
- Type of Mentos
Does adding salt to water change the rate at which it boils?
________ variable: The amount of water used
Control variable
A student wanted to run an experiment to determine which brand of gum, (Hubba-Bubba, Orbit, or Trident) lasted the longest.
Trail 1: Student chewed strawberry flavored Hubba Bubba bubble gum.
Trial 2: Student chewed Peppermint Orbit bubble gum.
Trial 3: Student chewed fruit punch flavored Trident bubble gum.
The student chewed different flavors of bubble gum.
Citrus plants that receive more water will have more juice in the fruit. What is the independent variable?
The amount of water.
Does a skateboard travel further on grass, the sidewalk, or on a paved road? What is the dependent variable?
The distance the skateboard travels on each surface.
Which variable needs to be controlled in the following experiment:
Can a person jump higher in low-top or high-top tennis shoes?
-Brand of shoe
-Type of shoe (low or high-top)
- Brand of shoes
Does drinking caffeine increase your heart rate?
_______ variable: the amount of coffee you drink
Independent variable
A student wanted to test the fastest running shoes.
Trial 1: Student wore adidas running shoes and ran 2 miles and tracked their time.
Trial 2: Student wore New Balance running shoes and ran 1.5 miles and tracked their time..
Trail 3: Student wore Under Armor running shoes and ran 3 km and tracked their time..
The student ran different distances each trial.
A student wanted to see if their score on spelling tests would improve if they spent more time studying the spelling words. What is the independent variable?
Amount of time spent on studying for spelling.
Do all clear liquids freeze at the same temperature? What is the dependent variable?
The temperature the liquids freeze
Which variable needs to be controlled in the following experiment:
Does temperature affect the rate at which mold grows?
-The container
-The temperature
- The container the item is in
Does crushed salt or rock salt dissolve faster in water?
________ variable: The time it takes each type of salt to dissolve
Dependent
A student wanted to test which type of parachute would keep an egg safest.
Trial 1: The student made their parachute out of computer paper and dropped the egg from 10 ft.
Trial 2: The student made their parachute out of tin foil, wrapped their egg in bubble wrap and dropped it from 12 ft.
Trial 3: The student made their parachute out of a plastic bag and dropped it from 15 ft.
The student dropped the egg from different height s and added in extra materials (bubble wrap).