VARIABLE

In an experiment, a VARIABLE is the factor that can be changed to see what will happen. Scientists work
with two types of variables. They are the INDEPENDENT VARIABLE and the DEPENDENT
VARIABLE. The independent variable is the one that is deliberately changed by the investigator. The
dependent variable is a factor that might be affected as the result of the change. Remember, a good
experiment must also have a CONTROL, which is a factor that does not change. It helps make sure the
results are reliable.
KEY CONCEPTS AND VOCABULARY LIST
VARIABLE - A changeable factor in an experiment.
INDEPENDENT VARIABLE - Sometimes called the manipulated variable, is the factor in an experiment
that is deliberately changed.
DEPENDENT VARIABLE - Sometimes called the responding variable, is the factor or condition that
might be affected as a result of the change.
CONTROL - A variable that does not change. The standard for comparison in an experiment.
EXAMPLE: A scientist wanted to see which brand of plant food would make tomato plants grow best.
She used 9 of the same variety of tomato plants. All of the plants were the same size, grown in the same
size containers, with the same type and amount of soil. The plants were exposed to the same amount of
sunlight and darkness, the same temperature, and they were watered the same amount. The only
difference was the type
of plant food that they were given. Three plants were given no food at all, 3 were given Brand A food, and
3 were given Brand B food. The plants were measured on day 1, day 7, and day 14. The scientist was then
able to determine that the plants fed Brand B had grown the most.
Independent variable - Plant Food
Dependent variable - Rate of growth
Controls - Same plants grown under the same conditions except for the plant food.
Discussion questions:
1. Why was it necessary to have more than one plant for each group? This allows you to determine the
average rate of growth of the plants.
2. Why is it necessary to have a set of plants that received no plant food? These plants serve as a control
group.
3. Why does a good experiment only test one variable at a time? This is the only way that you can be sure
that you are making the correct assumptions as to the cause of a change in the outcome.

VARAIBLES

Smithers thinks that a special juice will increase the productivity of workers.
He creates two groups of 50 workers and assigns each group the same task
(in this case, they're supposed to staple a set of papers). Group A is given
the special juice to drink while they work. Group B is not given the special
juice. After an hour, Smithers counts how many stacks of papers each group
has made. Group A made 1,587 stacks, Group B made 2,113 stacks.
Directions: For each of the following identify the:
1. Control Group2. Experimental Group3. Independent Variable (the thing that Smithers changes)4. Controls (the things that Smithers leaves the same)5. Dependent Variable (the thing that you observe/keep data on)6. What should Smithers' conclusion be?

Homer notices that his shower is covered in a strange green slime. His friend
Barney tells him that coconut juice will get rid of the green slime. Homer
decides to check this this out by spraying half of the shower with coconut
juice. He sprays the other half of the shower with water. After 3 days of
"treatment" there is no change in the appearance of the green slime on
either side of the shower.
1. State the problem that Homer is trying to figure out.
2. Independent Variable (the thing that Homer changes)

3. Controls (the things that Homer leaves the same)

4. Dependent Variable (the thing that you observe/keep data on)
5. What should Homers conclusion be?

Krusty was told that a certain itching powder was the new best
powder on the market, it even claims to cause 50% longer
lasting itches. Interested in this product, he buys the itching
powder and compares it to his usual product. One test subject
(A) is sprinkled with the original itching powder, and another
test subject (B) was sprinkled with the Experimental itching
powder. Subject A reported having itches for 30 minutes.
Subject B reported to have itches for 45 minutes.
Identify the1. Control Group2. Experimental Group3. Independent Variable (the thing that Krusty changes)
4. Controls (the things that Krusty leaves the same)
5. Dependent Variable (the thing that you observe/keep data on)
6. What should Krustys conclusion be?

Lisa is working on a science project. Her task is to answer the

question: "Does Rogooti (which is a commercial hair product) affect the

speed of hair growth". Her family is willing to volunteer for the experiment.
Create an experiment that could help to answer this question. Include and
identify a control group, experimental group, variable and a conclusion.

1. Control Group2. Experimental Group3. Independent Variable (the thing that Lisa changes)
4. Controls (the things that Lisa leaves the same)
5. Dependent Variable (the thing that you observe/keep data on)
6. What should Lisas conclusion