Show:
Controlling Variables
Independent or Dependent
Definitions
Find the Experimental Error
Design an Experiment
100
You want to see whether a rose bush grows more flowers in a greenhouse or outside. List two variables you would need to control.
What is type of rose bush, age of rose bush, amount of fertilizer, etc.?
100
Identify the independent and dependent variable in the following sentence. The more it rains, the higher the flooding in Jeurgens Park.
What is IV = rainfall, DV = how much flooding?
100
Write a definition of an independent variable.
What is an independent variable is the variable scientists change in an experiment?
100
Spongebob wants to test two new jellyfishing nets. The first net has a handle that is 3 feet long and the second net has a handle that is 4 feet long. Spongebob takes the first net to the jellyfish field in the morning and counts how many jellyfish he gets in 10 minutes. He takes the second net to the jellyfish field in the middle of the night and counts how many jellyfish he gets in 10 minutes. Where was Spongebob's error?
What is he should have used the nets at the same time of day? Jellyfish might be more or less active in the middle of the night versus the morning.
100
You want to know if it is better to study for a test 10 minutes a night for 3 days or 30 minutes the night before. Write an experiment procedure to answer your question.
What is: 1. Find three students in the same class/grade. 2. Give students the same study notes. 3. Student 1 studies 10 minutes a night for 3 days. 4. Student 2 studies 30 minutes the night before. 5. Student 3 does not study at all. 6. Students take same test. 7. Compare percentages/grades.
200
It's cold season. You want to investigate which tissue is more absorbent. You decide to test two different brands of tissue to see how much water they hold. List at least two variables you would need to control.
What is: size of tissue, amount of water added each time, amount of tissues used each trial, etc.?
200
Identify the independent variable and dependent variable in the following question: Does the wingspan impact an airplane's flight speed?
What is IV = wingspan; DV = flight speed?
200
What is another name for the independent variable?
What is the manipulated variable?
200
You want to know which brand of nail polish dries faster. You buy two different brands, Brand A and Brand B. You paint Brand A on your left hand and Brands B on your right hand. Then, you put your left hand in cold water because you heard that makes nail polish dry faster. What was your experimental error?
What is you put one hand in water and one hand outside of the water? To keep the experiment controlled you should have kept both hands outside of the water.
200
Design an experiment to test how using construction paper or copier paper influences how far a paper plane flies.
What is: 1. Create two planes using the same design. 2. Use construction paper for the first plane and copier paper for the second one. 3. Fly the planes in the same location. 4. Throw the planes using the same amount of force. 5. Measure the distance over several trials and take the average.
300
You want to see which type of gum holds its flavor the longest. List at least 2 variables you would need to control.
What is: size of gum, time chewed before checking if flavor is still there, how often gum is chewed, etc?
300
Identify the independent variable and dependent variable in the following observation. The students appear to be more energetic the closer a vacation approaches.
What is IV = closeness of break, DV = student energy levels?
300
Write a definition for a dependent variable.
What is a dependent variable is variable that reacts and/or scientists measure in experiments?
300
Patrick wants to know if he can run a faster mile if he exercises once a week for 5 hours or 5 times a week for 1 hour. Week 1 he eats really healthy and exercises for 1 hour 5 days a week. Then, he runs a mile in 10:00 on Saturday. Week 2, he is tired of eating healthy and eats Krabby Patties all week and works out for 5 hours on Saturday. Then, he runs a mile in 20:00. Where was his experimental error?
What is Patrick didn't control his diet during the experiment? The Krabby Patties could have slowed him down.
300
You would like to find out which type of rubber band is strongest. Using three different brands of rubber bands that are the same size, describe how you would modify our rubber band lab to help you do this experiment.
What is: 1. Set up a pencil with masking tape on the edge of the desk. 2. Hang a paper clip from the first rubber band. 3. Add washers until the rubber band breaks or snaps. 4. Record the number of washers the rubber band held before breaking. 5. Repeat the procedure for the other two rubber bands.
400
You want to see which pizza is greasier, cheese or pepperoni. You measure greasiness by patting one paper towel on the top of the pizza and looking at how much of the surface area is covered in grease. What are two other variables you should control?
What is size of pizza slice, temperature of pizza slice, brand of pizza, etc.?
400
Identify the independent and dependent variable in the following question. Does the amount of water a plant gets help it grow taller?
What is IV = water, DV = height?
400
What is another name for the dependent variable?
What is the responding variable?
400
For your product test, you would like to find out which ice cream melts faster: Rocky Road or Mint Chocolate Chip. You buy the same brand of ice cream in both flavors. You take one scoop (same size) of both ice creams and put them each in a beaker. You put the Rocky Road outside in the sun and the Mint Chocolate Chip in the closet and check how much liquid is in the beaker every 5 minutes. What was your error?
What is the ice cream should be in the same location and at the same temperature?
400
Describe an experiment to test what would happen to a gummi bear if it was left in vinegar overnight.
What is: 1. Fill a beaker half full with vinegar. 2. Measure the gummi bear's mass and length. 3. Place the gummi bear in the vinegar. 4. Leave it overnight. 5. Take out the gummi bear, pat it dry, and measure the length and mass again.
500
Create your own experimental question. List at least two control variables.
What is Ms. Brands will check your boards?
500
Which axis on a graph is the independent variable? What about the dependent variable?
What is x-axis = independent variable; y-axis = dependent variable?
500
Explain. Why is it important scientists only have one independent variable in an experiment?
What is if you change more than one thing, then you cannot accurately conclude what caused the reaction/results?
500
For your product test, you would like to find out which ice cream melts faster: Rocky Road or Mint Chocolate Chip. You buy the same brand of ice cream in both flavors. You take one scoop (same size) of both ice creams and put them each in a beaker. You put the Rocky Road outside in the sun and the Mint Chocolate Chip outside in the shade and check how much liquid is in the beaker every 5 minutes. What was your error?
What is the temperature in the sun and the shade is not the same?
500
Design an experiment to test what would happen if we left a gummi bear in soda overnight.
What is: 1. Fill a beaker halfway with soda. 2. Measure the length and mass of a gummi bear. 3. Place gummi bear in beaker. 4. Leave gummi bear overnight. 5. Take out gummi bear, pat dry with a paper towel, and measure length and mass.