Identifying Variables
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The document explains three types of variables in scientific experiments: independent, dependent, and controlled variables. It provides multiple examples illustrating how to identify these variables, such as in experiments involving students assembling puzzles, electromagnetic systems, boiling eggs, plant growth under different colored lights, and parachute sizes. Each example clarifies how changes in the independent variable affect the dependent variable while keeping controlled variables constant to ensure fair testing.
Identifying Variables
- 2. 3 types of variables 1. Independent variable 2. Dependent variable 3. Controlled variable
- 3. Independent Variable a.k.a Manipulated Variable -Something that is intentionally changed by the scientist - What can you control? - What is manipulated? - What is tested? +Key word: Different
- 4. Dependent Variable a.k.a Responding Variable - Something that might be affected by the change in the independent variable - What is observed? - What is measured? - The data collected during the investigation
- 5. Controlled Variable a.k.a Constant Variable - A variable that is not changed - Allows the experiment to be fair
- 6. Example: Students of different ages were given the same jigsaw puzzle to assemble. They were timed to see how long it took to finish the puzzle.
- 7. IDENTIFY THE VARIABLES IN THE INVESTIGATION
- 8. What was the Independent Variable? - Ages of the students Different ages were tested by the scientist
- 9. What was the Dependent Variable? - The time it to put the puzzle together The time was observed and measured by the scientist
- 10. What were the Controlled Variables? -Same puzzle - All of the participants were tested with the same puzzle. It would not have been a fair test if some had an easy 30 piece puzzle and some had a harder 500 piece puzzle.
- 11. Another Example: An investigation was done with an electromagnetic system made from a battery and wire wrapped around a nail. Different sizes of nails were used. The number of paper clips the electromagnet could pick up was measured.
- 12. IDENTIFY THE VARIABLES IN THE INVESTIGATION
- 13. What was the Independent Variable? - Sizes of nails These were changed by the scientist
- 14. What was the dependent variable? - Number of paper clips picked up The number of paper clips observed and counted (measured)
- 15. What were the Controlled Variables? -Battery, wire & type of nail None of these items were changed during the experiment
- 16. One more Example: The higher the temperature of water, the faster an egg will boil.
- 17. IDENTIFY THE VARIABLES IN THE INVESTIGATION
- 18. What was the Independent Variable? - Temperature of the water The scientist changed the temperature in the experiment
- 19. What was the Dependent Variable? - Time to cook an egg The scientist was trying to see how fast the egg will boil because of the temperature
- 20. What were the Controlled Variables? -Type of egg The type of egg was not changed during the experiment
- 21. Last Example: Does changing the color of light affect the growth rate of plants?
- 22. IDENTIFY THE VARIABLES IN THE INVESTIGATION
- 23. What was the Independent Variable? - The color of the light The scientist changed the color during the experiment
- 24. What was the Dependent Variable? - Growth rate of plants It depends on the color of light, which is the independent variable
- 25. What were the Controlled Variables? - Same type of plant - Same wattage of bulb - Same soil - Light on for the same amount of time
- 26. Really Last Example: How does the size of a parachute affect the time it takes a hippo to fall 10 feet?
- 27. IDENTIFY THE VARIABLES IN THE INVESTIGATION
- 28. What was the Independent Variable? -The size of the parachute The size of the parachute is the one being changed
- 29. What was the Dependent Variable? - The time it takes a hippo to fall at 10 feet It depends on the parachute size, which is the independent variable
- 30. What were the Controlled Variables? - Same hippo - Dropped from the same height - Same parachute fabric - Same length of strings on the parachute
- 32. FOR WATCHING!
Editor's Notes
- #5: Depends on the independent variable