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Understanding Variables in Experiments

Variables are factors that can change in an experiment. There are three types of variables: independent variables which are manipulated by the scientist, dependent variables which are observed and measured effects of the independent variable, and controlled variables which are kept the same. An example is an experiment with sunflower seedlings where the independent variable is the amount of sunlight, the dependent variable is the height of the seedlings, and controlled variables are things like watering that are kept the same.

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Lynne Tuiza Endon
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25 views32 pages

Understanding Variables in Experiments

Variables are factors that can change in an experiment. There are three types of variables: independent variables which are manipulated by the scientist, dependent variables which are observed and measured effects of the independent variable, and controlled variables which are kept the same. An example is an experiment with sunflower seedlings where the independent variable is the amount of sunlight, the dependent variable is the height of the seedlings, and controlled variables are things like watering that are kept the same.

Uploaded by

Lynne Tuiza Endon
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

What are variables?

ARE ANY FACTOR OR THINGS,


CONDITION OR TRAIT THAT ARE
CHANGING IN AN EXPERIMENT.
THREE KINDS OF
VARIABLES
Independent Variables
• What is tested by the scientist
• What is changed by the scientist
Dependent Variable
• What is observed
• What is measured
• The effect caused by the
independent variable.
• The data
Controlled Variables
• Things that could NOT change
• Kept constant (the same) to
determine any changes in the results
(dependent variable) is caused by the
manipulated variable.
Independent Dependent

Cause Effect

Before After

Input Output

What you do What happens


Independent VS Dependent Variable
EXAMPLES:
A scientist wants to investigate whether plants need sunlight to
grow. The hypothesis being tested is:
2. “Plants require sunlight to grow.” The scientist
placed one tray of sunflower seedlings in the sun
and another tray of sunflower seedlings in a
cupboard in the laboratory. The seedlings were
watered and after 6 weeks the height of each
seedling was measured.
I.V. : The amount of sunlight given to each tray
of sunflower seedlings

D.V. : The height of each sunflower


seedlings after 6 weeks

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