1.1.R - Lesson Review: Independent and Dependent Variables

Why is it important to identify variables before conducting an experiment? Please respond in 1-2 complete sentences using your best grammar.

It is important to identify variables before conducting an experiment because something could go wrong if you dont know how to identify them.

What is the difference between an independent and a dependent variable? Please respond in 1-2 complete sentences using your best grammar.

The difference between an independent and a dependent variable is that an independent variable can be changed by the scientist. And a dependent variable is the factor which is responsive to the independent variable.

Experiment Scenario: Amelia loves to play golf but hates it when her golf balls go into the water. Some brands seem to soak up so much water that the golf balls never quite make it to the green again. She has decided to test her dad's three favorite brands of golf balls to see which brand holds the most water and would hinder her game. Questions: The fact that Amelia is going to use the same kind and amount of water to submerge each ball is an example of a ________ variable. The weight of each ball after soaking in water for ten minutes is an example of the ________ variable. The three different brands of golf balls she will use is an example of the ________ variable.

controlled, dependent, independent

The one thing in an experiment that you are trying to measure is called the ________.

dependent variable

Experiment Scenario: Taylor is testing three brands of fertilizer to see which produces the best plant growth. The amount of water given to each plant will remain the same. He plans to use only one type of plant as well. Questions: Taylor's measurement of the plant height will be his ________ variable. The amount of water he waters the plants with will be one of his ________ variables. The three brands of fertilizer he uses will be his ________ variable.

dependent, Controlled, independent

What is the other name given to the independent variable (IV)?

manipulated

How many independent variables (IV) should you have in an experiment?

only one

What is the other name given to the dependent variable (DV)?

responding

Grandma Hippity Hop is worried about the ice that will be forming on her sidewalk this winter. She doesn't have money to waste on sidewalk salt that is ineffective, so Brenda decides to do some testing for her. What should her control be to test this?

same size of ice cubes

What is the control variable in an experiment?

the parts of the experiment that are not changed in any way

Jordan wants to see if earthworms prefer rough or smooth terrain to crawl through. What will be his independent variable? This is what he will change in his experiment.

the terrain