Definitions
Something you change in an experiment
Independent Variable
Javier sleeps 9 hours the night before his science exam. His twin sister has the same exam and sleeps 6 hours the night before the test. Afterwards, they compare their scores. What is the independent variable?
Amount of sleep at night
Angel wants to know if the type of detergent has a effect on the cleanliness of her clothes. What is the dependent variable?
Cleanliness of clothes
A group of people in different age groups run a marathon. Independent variable is the different age groups. What could the dependent variable be?
How fast they finish the race/Time to finish
How fast they become exhausted/energy levels
How fast they need water/dehydration
Something you measure in an experiment
Dependent Variable
Javier sleeps 9 hours the night before his science exam. His twin sister has the same exam and sleeps 6 hours the night before the test. Afterwards, they compare their scores. What is the dependent variable?
Test scores
Amount of time spent on social media
Hannah measures how long each of her rabbit's teeth are. What could the independent variable be?
Type of food
Type of Environment
Type of rabbit
The Effect in an Experiment
Dependent Variable
One plant is given sunlight everyday. Another plant is not given any sunlight. After 3 weeks, the plants are measured to see how tall they are. What is the independent variable?
Amount of sunlight
Zack wants to determine if if the amount of time spent on social media has an effect on his anxiety level. What is the dependent variable?
Anxiety levels
Jason's teeth are much whiter than his sister's Katie's teeth are after brushing their teeth before bed. What could the independent variable be?
Type of toothpaste
How long brushing teeth for
Tap vs bottle water
The Cause in the Experiment
Independent Variable
One plant is given sunlight everyday. Another plant is not given any sunlight. After 3 weeks, the plants are measured to see how tall they are. What is the dependent variable?
Growth/How tall
Joelle wants to determine the effect pesticides have on the size of the apples in her orchard. What is the independent variable?
Pesticides
Noah wants to know which lawn mower is best, the cheaper one or the expensive one. What could the dependent variable be?
Height of grass when done
Duration of lawn mower/how long it last
How much grass it cuts in an amount of time
The variable that does not change - remains constant
Control Variable
Angel wants to know if the type of detergent has a effect on the cleanliness of her clothes. What is the independent variable?
Type of detergent
Joelle wants to determine the effect pesticides have on the size of the apples in her orchard. What is the dependent variable?
Size of the apples
Give me your own scenario and identify the independent and dependent variable in it.
Scenario