Review of Scientific Variables

Review of Scientific Variables Identify the variables in each of the following examples. A scientist was trying to see if the amount of water a plant gets affects plant growth. She collected 10 identical plants and gave them different amounts of water. She measured their growth daily. The plants received the same amount of sunlight. What is the manipulated variable in the above investigation? Plant growth Amount of sunlight Amount of water 10 plants

Review of Scientific Variables Identify the variables in each of the following examples. A scientist was trying to see if the amount of water a plant gets affects plant growth. She collected 10 identical plants and gave them different amounts of water. She measured their growth daily. The plants received the same amount of sunlight. 2. What is the responding variable? Amount of sunlight Plant growth Growth measured daily The method used to measure the plants

Review of Scientific Variables Identify the variables in each of the following examples. A scientist was trying to see if the amount of water a plant gets affects plant growth. She collected 10 identical plants and gave them different amounts of water. She measured their growth daily. The plants received the same amount of sunlight. 3. What are the controlled variables? Amount of sunlight 10 identical plants Amount of water Both A and B

Review of Scientific Variables Identify the manipulated and responding variable(s) in each question from the information given. Then, think of at least two controlled variables that could be set for each experiment. 4. Does the shape of a container affect how fast water will evaporate form it? Shape of container Manipulated variable: __________________________ Responding variable: __________________________ Controlled variable 1: __________________________ Controlled variable 2: __________________________ Rate of evaporation Volume / temperature of water Time measurement is taken

Review of Scientific Variables Identify the manipulated and responding variable(s) in each question from the information given. Then, think of at least two controlled variables that could be set for each experiment. 5. How does the distance from a flashlight to a screen affect the size of the illuminated area? Distance of flashlight to screen Manipulated variable: __________________________ Responding variable: __________________________ Controlled variable 1: __________________________ Controlled variable 2: __________________________ Size of illuminated area Same flashlight for each distance Same method of measuring area

Review of Scientific Variables Identify the manipulated and responding variable(s) in each question from the information given. Then, think of at least two controlled variables that could be set for each experiment. 6. How does the weight of a parachute load affect how fast it will fall? Weight of parachute load Manipulated variable: __________________________ Responding variable: __________________________ Controlled variable 1: __________________________ Controlled variable 2: __________________________ Rate of fall Area of open chute Height at which load was dropped

Review of Scientific Variables Identify the manipulated and responding variable(s) in each question from the information given. 7. Scientists were trying to determine if junk food would cause a mouse to gain weight. The diet of mice was varied. Some mice were given junk food. Others were given Mouse Chow. The mice were weighed daily. All mice were the same sex, the same age, and the same species. Type of diet Manipulated variable: __________________________ Responding variable: __________________________ Controlled variable 1: __________________________ Controlled variable 2: __________________________ Weight of mouse measured daily Same age and species of mouse Same sex, time of measurement

Review of Scientific Variables Identify the manipulated and responding variable(s) in each question from the information given. Then, think of at least two controlled variables that could be set for each experiment. 8. How does the amount of fertilizer a farmer uses affect the number of beans he harvests? Amount of fertilizer Manipulated variable: __________________________ Responding variable: __________________________ Controlled variable 1: __________________________ Controlled variable 2: __________________________ Number of beans harvested Same amount of water, sunshine Same type of soil, fertilizer

Review of Scientific Variables Identify the manipulated and responding variable(s) in each question from the information given. Then, think of at least two controlled variables that could be set for each experiment. 9. Do different types of food mold at different rates? Type of food Manipulated variable: __________________________ Responding variable: __________________________ Controlled variable 1: __________________________ Controlled variable 2: __________________________ Rate of molding Exposure to same environment Time span that molding occurs

Review of Scientific Variables 10. A scientist was trying to determine if the shape of hot air balloons would affect how high they went. The shape of 10 hot air balloons varied. Some were oval; some were round. The altitude (how high they went) was measured. The scientist tested them on the same day so the weather conditions would be the same. The balloons had the same air volume. Shape of balloon Manipulated variable: __________________________ Responding variable: __________________________ Controlled variable 1: __________________________ Controlled variable 2: __________________________ How high the balloons would go Method of measurement; same day Balloons were same volume

Review of Scientific Variables 11. Study the chart below. Identify the manipulated, responding, and controlled variables. Sugar Sample Water Conditions Time to Dissolve (min) Whole sugar cube Hot 5 Two-half sugar cubes 3 Crushed sugar cube hot 1 Surface area of sugar sample Manipulated variable: __________________________ Responding variable: __________________________ Controlled variable 1: __________________________ Controlled variable 2: __________________________ Time to dissolve Same temperature of water Same size container for sugar and water