Variables Notes

Every experiment has 3 types of variables A student wanted to see if warmer vinegar would make a better baking soda volcano. He used 1 cup of baking soda and 2 cups of vinegar. He put them in 500 mL pop bottle to see how high it would erupt. Something you manipulate or change on purpose -temperature of vinegar 2. Something that is affected -how high it erupted 3. Many things you keep the same -amount of baking soda, vinegar, bottle

Types of Variables Independent variable—What the experimenter manipulated or changed on purpose -there should be only one Ex: How does the amount of yeast affect how bread rises? Independent variable = amount of yeast

Types of Variables 2. Dependent—Factor that is affected and is measured as your result. -you can have more than one Ex: How does the amount of yeast affect how bread rises? Dependent variables = size of dough, speed it rises density of dough

Types of Variables 3. Controlled—Things you keep the same in your experiment -there should be MANY! Ex: How does the amount of yeast affect how bread rises? Controlled variables = type of bread, type of yeast, temperature, etc.

How to Remember Dependent Responds Y-axis (of graph) Manipulated Independent X-axis (of graph)

Variables are Everywhere! Hypotheis: If __independent variable ____ then, __dependent variable ___, will ______. Claim: Describes the relationship between the independent and dependent variables (if there is one).

Practice A student wants to see if the length a catapult’s arm affects how far it throws an object. Independent variable = length of arm Dependent = distance object goes Controlled = catapult design, object, environmental conditions

Template copyright 2005 www.brainybetty.com Variables What is a variable? What types are there? How do you control variables and why? How many of each variable should there be? 5. In which processes can you find the variables? 1/13/2019 Template copyright 2005 www.brainybetty.com