Date post: | 03-Jan-2016 |
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What is a variable?What is a
variable?
The changing quantities in a
science experiment.
Experiments have three
kinds of variables: •Independent •Dependent•Control or Constants
Variables in an experiment• Independent Variable: (MANIPULATED Variable)
- variable being changed/tested by the person.
- The variable that “I” Changed…
- Graphed on the X-axis
• Dependent Variable: (RESPONDING variable)
- variable that is measured; it is the result of the change of the independent variable
- it responds to the independent variable.
- Graphed on the Y-axis
DRY MIX
y-axis
x-axis
Dependent Variable
Responding Variable
Independent Variable
Manipulated Variable
Types of Graphs
• Bar – to compare data
• Line – to show data over a period of time
• Pie – percentages or parts of a whole
Controls or Constants
Constants are factors in the experiment that the scientist wants to keep
the same.
Here are a few examples . . .
Question:How much water can flow through
a faucet?Independent
Variable?Dependent Variable?
How much you open the faucet:•half open•closed•all the way open
How much water comes
out of the faucet,
measured in liters per minute.
Question:Does more fertilizer make a plant
grow bigger?Independent
Variable?Dependent Variable?
Constants?
Amount of fertilizer measured
in grams.
Growth of plant by height or number
of leaves . . .
•Same pot type•Same soil•Same sunlight•Same seeds
Question:Does heating a cup of water allow it to
dissolve more sugar?
Independent Variable?
Constants?
Dependent Variable?
Temperature of the water, measured in
Celsius.
Amount of sugar that dissolves completely in the water. Measured in
grams.
•Same amount of water•Same type of sugar•Stirring same in each
Question:Does an electric motor turn faster if you
increase the voltage?
Independent Variable?
Constants?
Dependent Variable?
Voltage of electricity, measured in volts.
Speed of the motor measured in rotations
per minute.
Same motor for tests