Independent and Dependent Variables

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Objective

I can identify the independent and dependent variables in a science experiment scenario.

Part 1 of 3

Warm-up video

Unknown Channel · 5:00

We don't generate video — this one is by Unknown Channel on YouTube. The practice questions and exit ticket below were drafted by AI for this objective, and every question is editable in the teacher guide.

Part 2 of 3

Practice

7 questions

1

Define the terms "independent variable" and "dependent variable" in your own words.

2

Explain why it is important to only change one independent variable at a time in an experiment.

Part 3 of 3

Exit ticket

Quick comprehension check

A scientist wants to test if different amounts of fertilizer affect how tall tomato plants grow. They give one group of plants 5 grams of fertilizer per week, another group 10 grams, and a third group 15 grams. After six weeks, they measure the height of the plants. What is the independent variable and what is the dependent variable in this experiment? A student is investigating whether the color of light affects the rate of photosynthesis in algae. They shine red light on one group of algae, blue light on another group, and green light on a third group. They then measure the amount of oxygen produced by each group of algae. What is the independent variable and what is the dependent variable in this experiment? Researchers are studying if the amount of sleep a person gets affects their reaction time. They have one group of participants sleep for 6 hours, another group for 8 hours, and a third group for 10 hours. The next day, they measure how quickly each participant responds to a visual stimulus. What is the independent variable and what is the dependent variable in this experiment?

Sample answer included in the free materials

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