1. Independent Variables

2. Independent Variables
In an experiment…
…you should only test for ONE key thing at a time
When you repeat the experiment…
…only change this ONE key thing
This one thing is called…
Also know as….the manipulated variable

3. Memory Trick! Independent variable begins with the letter “I”
So remember the letter “I.”
Imagine yourself doing the experiment., and ask yourself…
“What ONE thing will I change when repeating the experiment?”
That one thing will be…

4. What is the independent (manipulated) variable in this example?
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
What is the independent (manipulated) variable in this example?
Hint: What is the one thing being changed during each trial?
The independent variable is the distance from the sunlamp which is connected with the amount of sunlight.

5. 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
What is the independent (manipulated) variable in this example?
Hint: What is the one thing being changed during each trial?
The independent variable is the type of glue

6. What is the independent (manipulated) variable in this example?
Example: A student conducts an experiment to determine which
ink color in ballpoint pens will last the longest before running out.
She copies text from her science book. She copies the same text over and over.
She writes at the same speed. The room temperature remains the same. She
writes on the same kind of paper each time.
She uses 3 ink colors in 3 ballpoint pens in a series of experiments.
(1) Black ink pen, (2) Blue ink pen, (3) Red ink pen)
What is the independent (manipulated) variable in this example?
Hint: What is the one thing being changed during each trial?
The independent variable is the color of ink

7. (Independent Variables)
SPI 0807.Inq.1A
(Independent Variables)
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8. (Independent Variables)
SPI 0807.Inq.1A
(Independent Variables)
Questions
Science
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9. (Independent Variables)
SPI 0807.Inq.1A
(Independent Variables)
Questions
Science
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10. (Independent Variables)
SPI 0807.Inq.1A
(Independent Variables)
Questions
Science
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11. (Independent Variables)
SPI 0807.Inq.1A
(Independent Variables)
Questions
Science
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12. (Independent Variables)
SPI 0807.Inq.1A
(Independent Variables)
Questions
Science
Here is an example of a question you might see on a quiz or test.