Independent vs. Dependent Variables- LV - Lizzette Villanueva | Library

Independent Variable: The condition in the experiment that is changed on purpose
Dependent Variable: The condition in the experiment that results from that change
Constants: Conditions in experiments that are held constant (do not change)

A change in a dependent variable DEPENDS on change in an independent variable. For example, the amount of chairs in my classroom is DEPENDENT on the number of students in my class (independent). Having more students causes me to add more chairs. Having more chairs would not cause me to add more students.

1

Sort the variables based on whether they are independent or dependent

Draggable item		Corresponding Item
The number of bread slices you have		Independent Variable
The number of sandwiches you can make		Dependent Variable

1

Sort the variables based on whether they are independent or dependent

Draggable item		Corresponding Item
The temperature outside		Independent Variable
The amount of ice cream sold at an ice cream shop		Dependent Variable

1

Sort the variables based on whether they are independent or dependent

Draggable item		Corresponding Item
The number of people in line ahead of you		Independent Variable
The amount of time you will need to wait		Dependent Variable

1

Sort the variables based on whether they are independent or dependent

Draggable item		Corresponding Item
Size of lawn/yard		Independent Variable
Amount of time it takes to cut the grass		Dependent Variable

1

Sort the variables based on whether they are independent or dependent

Draggable item		Corresponding Item
Time spent studying unit		Independent Variable
Grade on unit test		Dependent Variable

1

Sort the variables based on whether they are independent or dependent

Draggable item		Corresponding Item
Number of books someone has read		Independent Variable
Number of words in their vocabulary		Dependent Variable

Using the information in the following phrases or paragraphs, identify the independent variable, dependent variable, and any constants.

1.5

Does heating a cup of water allow it to dissolve more sugar? Temperature of the water is measured in degrees Centigrade. Amount of sugar is measured in grams.

Draggable item		Corresponding Item
Water, amount of water, heating method		Dependent Variable
Amount of sugar dissolved (g)		Independent Variable
Temperature of water (Degrees C)		Constants

1.5

Does fertilizer make a plant grow bigger? Amount of fertilizer measured in grams, quantities of water measured in milliliters.

Draggable item		Corresponding Item
Size of plant or height(cm)		Dependent Variable
Fertilizer (g)		Independent Variable
Amount of soil, amount of water provided		Constants

1.5

Does an electric motor turn faster if you increase the voltage? Voltage of the electricity used is measured in volts. Speed of rotation measured in revolutions per minute (RPMs)

Draggable item		Corresponding Item
Speed of rotation (RPM)		Independent
Type of motor		Dependent
Voltage of electric motor (V)		Constants

1.5

How fast does a candle burn? Time measured in minutes. Height of candle measured in centimeters at regular intervals of time (for example, every five minutes)

Draggable item		Corresponding Item
Time (m)		Independent
Height of candle (cm)		Dependent
Type of candle, temp of room		Constants

1.5

A student wanted to test how the mass of a paper airplane affected the distance it would fly. Paper clips were added before each test flight. As each paper clip was added, the plane was tested to determine how far it would fly.

Draggable item		Corresponding Item
Length of flight (cm)		Independent
Type of paper airplane, throwing speed		Dependent
Number of paper clips		Constants

1.5

An experiment was performed to determine how the amount of coffee grounds could affect the taste of coffee. The same kind of coffee, the same percolator, the same amount and type of water, the same perking time, and the same electrical sources were used.

Draggable item		Corresponding Item
Kind of coffee, percolator, amount and type of water, perking time, electrical source.		Independent
Amount of coffee grounds		Dependent
Taste of coffee		Constants

1.5

Four groups of similar-type rats are first massed and then fed identical diets except for the amount of vitamin A they receive. Each group gets a different amount of vitamin A. After 3 weeks on the diet, the rats’ masses are measured again to see if there has been a decrease.

Draggable item		Corresponding Item
The mass of the rats		Independent
Type of rat, diet		Dependent
The amount of Vitamin A		Constants

1.5

Anna was using steel to make rusted sculptures. After building each sculpture, she caused the steel in the sculpture to rust by placing it into a tub filled with salt water for eight hours. Anna wondered if steel would rust faster submerged in vinegar instead of saltwater.

To find out, Anna cut ten squares of steel sheet metal and split them into two equal groups. She put one group of squares into a tub filled with saltwater and the other group of squares into a tub filled with vinegar. Once an hour for eight hours, Anna counted the number of rusted steel squares in each group.

Draggable item		Corresponding Item
The squares of steel, the time they soaked		Independent
The type of liquid she used		Dependent
The number of rusted steel squares		Constants

1.5

Spencer's grandmother suggested that soaking berries in hot water might help prevent the berries from getting moldy.

To test this idea, Spencer harvested fresh blackberries and divided them evenly into eight bowls. He filled four of the bowls with room temperature water and the other four bowls with water heated to 125°F. Spencer let all of the berries soak in the water for 30 seconds. Then, he poured out the water and dried the berries. Spencer placed the two groups of bowls in the refrigerator, keeping each group separate. After five days, Spencer counted the number of moldy blackberries in each bowl.

Draggable item		Corresponding Item
The temperature of the water		Independent
The number of moldy blackberries		Dependent
The time soaked and refrigerated, the type of berry		Constants

1.5

Lillian's brother thought that crushed ice would keep his soda cooler than whole ice cubes.

To test this idea, Lillian divided a large bottle of soda equally among six glasses. Lillian added five whole ice cubes to each of the first three glasses while her brother crushed five ice cubes into small pieces before adding them to each of the other three glasses. Ten minutes after all the ice had been added to the glasses, Lillian used a thermometer to measure the temperature of the soda in each glass

Draggable item		Corresponding Item
The size of the ice cube pieces		Independent
The temperature of the soda		Dependent
The amount of ice, the glass used		Constants