1. Also called "Responding Variable"
What is a Dependent Variable?
Often called the "responding variable" because it is the response to the previously introduced independent variable.
…is the result that you observe after you introduce the independent variable.
In other words, first you introduce the independent variable, and then you observe the response which is called the…
Dependent Variable
Also called "Responding Variable"

2. Example: A scientist is conducting an experiment to test how
sunlight affects plant growth.
She places one corn plant 1 meter away from a sunlamp.
She places one corn plant 2 meters away from a sunlamp.
She places one corn plant 3 meters away from a sunlamp.
Corn plant 01
Corn plant 02
Corn plant 03
The independent variable is the distance from the sunlamp
What is the dependent (responding) variable in this example?
Hint: What is the response to the distance from the sunlamp?
Dependent variable is the plant growth

3. Example: A student uses three types of Elmer’s glue to determine
which type has the strongest bond when gluing two pieces of
writing paper together.
She places 2 grams of glue on each sheet
and then measures how much force it takes to pull them apart.
Liquid-washable
Glue Stick-washable
Glue Stick-nonwashable
Trial 02
Trial 01
Trial 03
The independent variable is the type of glue
What is the dependent (responding) variable in this example?
Hint: What is the result from using the different types of glue?
Dependent variable-how much force to pull apart the paper

4. Example: A student conducts an experiment. He uses three types
of sour candy.
He gives one piece of candy to each participant and
records their facial expressions to estimate how sour each candy is.
The independent variable is the type of sour candy
What is a dependent (responding) variable in this example?
Hint: What is the response to the different types of candy?
Dependent variable is their reaction (facial expressions)

5. SPI 0807.Inq.1B
Dependent Variables
Questions
Science

6. SPI 0807.Inq.1B
Dependent Variables
Questions
Science

7. SPI 0807.Inq.1B
Dependent Variables
Questions
Science

8. SPI 0807.Inq.1B
Dependent Variables
Questions
Science

9. SPI 0807.Inq.1B
Dependent Variables
Questions
Science

10. What Are Control Experiments?
Also called controls and/or control groups
…An experiment separated from the main experiment where the independent variable being tested cannot influence the results.
…an experiment to verify the results of another experiment
using the same conditions except for one factor or variable.
How to do a control experiment:
Just remove the independent variable entirely or replace it with a neutral substitute.

11. Example: A scientist is conducting an experiment to test how
sunlight affects plant growth.
She places one corn plant 1 meter away from a sunlamp.
She places one corn plant 2 meters away from a sunlamp.
She places one corn plant 3 meters away from a sunlamp.
Corn plant 01
Corn plant 02
Corn plant 03
Independent variable is the distance from the sunlamp.
Dependent variable is how tall the plants grow.
Do a control experiment by removing the
independent variable entirely or neutralize its affect.
control experiment-place one other corn plant in a dark room

12. What are the constants in this experiment?
Independent variable
…is the weights
What are the constants
in this experiment?
Dependent variable
…is the height
they reached

13. …amount of carbon dioxide
What are the constants
in this experiment?
SPI 0807.Inq.1C
Controls
Questions
Science
Independent variable
…amount of carbon dioxide
Dependent variable
…height they grew

14. …behavior after eating
What are the constants
in this experiment?
SPI 0807.Inq.1C
Controls
Questions
Science
Independent variable
…amount of sugar
in the cereal
Dependent variable
…behavior after eating
the sugary cereal

15. What are the constants in this experiment?
Independent variable
…type of grass
Dependent
variable
…distance rolled
What are the constants
in this experiment?

16. Science Questions What are the constants SPI 0807.Inq.1C
Independent variable
…protein (steak)
Dependent
variable
…energy level
What are the constants
in this experiment?
SPI 0807.Inq.1C
Controls
Questions
Science