Independent & Dependent Variables Practice - Free Printable
Educational worksheet: Independent & Dependent Variables Practice. Download and print for classroom or home learning activities.
PNG
800×450
104.7 KB
Free · Personal Use
Quality Assured by Worksheets Library Team
Reviewed for educational accuracy and age-appropriateness
ID: #1650692
⭐
Show Answer Key & Explanations
Step-by-step solution for: Independent & Dependent Variables Practice
▼
Show Answer Key & Explanations
Step-by-step solution for: Independent & Dependent Variables Practice
You're asking to identify the independent and dependent variables for each of the three experimental scenarios. Let’s break down each one.
---
- Independent Variable (IV): The variable that is *deliberately changed or manipulated* by the experimenter.
- Dependent Variable (DV): The variable that is *measured or observed* — it *depends on* the independent variable.
---
## 🐄 Scenario 1: Cow Growth Hormone Experiment
> A cow is given a growth hormone and then compared to another cow that was not given a growth hormone. Both cows were weighed at 2 years.
- Independent Variable: Whether or not the cow received the growth hormone.
→ This is what the experimenter controls (one cow gets it, one doesn’t).
- Dependent Variable: The weight of the cows at 2 years.
→ This is what is being measured to see the effect of the hormone.
✔ Answer:
- Independent: Growth hormone (given or not)
- Dependent: Weight at 2 years
---
## 🦟 Scenario 2: Mosquito Repellent Test
> Mosquito repellent is sprayed on one arm and the other arm is not sprayed. The number of mosquito bites is counted after 2 hours.
- Independent Variable: Whether the arm was sprayed with repellent or not.
→ One arm is treated (sprayed), the other is not — this is the manipulation.
- Dependent Variable: The number of mosquito bites after 2 hours.
→ This is the outcome being measured to see if the repellent worked.
✔ Answer:
- Independent: Application of mosquito repellent (sprayed vs. not sprayed)
- Dependent: Number of mosquito bites after 2 hours
---
## 🍇 Scenario 3: Grape in Tap Water vs. Salt Water
> One grape is placed in tap water and another grape is placed in salt water. The change in their mass is measured after a day.
- Independent Variable: The type of water the grape is placed in (tap water vs. salt water).
→ This is what’s being changed intentionally.
- Dependent Variable: The change in mass of the grape after a day.
→ This measures the effect of the solution on the grape (osmosis!).
✔ Answer:
- Independent: Type of water (tap vs. salt)
- Dependent: Change in mass after a day
---
## ✔ Final Table:
| Scenario | Independent Variable | Dependent Variable |
|----------|-------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------|
| 1 | Growth hormone (given or not) | Weight at 2 years |
| 2 | Application of mosquito repellent | Number of mosquito bites after 2 hours |
| 3 | Type of water (tap vs. salt) | Change in mass after a day |
---
💡 Bonus Tip: In all cases, you’re comparing two groups (control vs. experimental) to see how changing one thing (IV) affects another (DV). That’s the core of scientific experimentation!
Let me know if you’d like to label control groups or constants too!
---
🔬 Key Definitions:
- Independent Variable (IV): The variable that is *deliberately changed or manipulated* by the experimenter.
- Dependent Variable (DV): The variable that is *measured or observed* — it *depends on* the independent variable.
---
## 🐄 Scenario 1: Cow Growth Hormone Experiment
> A cow is given a growth hormone and then compared to another cow that was not given a growth hormone. Both cows were weighed at 2 years.
- Independent Variable: Whether or not the cow received the growth hormone.
→ This is what the experimenter controls (one cow gets it, one doesn’t).
- Dependent Variable: The weight of the cows at 2 years.
→ This is what is being measured to see the effect of the hormone.
✔ Answer:
- Independent: Growth hormone (given or not)
- Dependent: Weight at 2 years
---
## 🦟 Scenario 2: Mosquito Repellent Test
> Mosquito repellent is sprayed on one arm and the other arm is not sprayed. The number of mosquito bites is counted after 2 hours.
- Independent Variable: Whether the arm was sprayed with repellent or not.
→ One arm is treated (sprayed), the other is not — this is the manipulation.
- Dependent Variable: The number of mosquito bites after 2 hours.
→ This is the outcome being measured to see if the repellent worked.
✔ Answer:
- Independent: Application of mosquito repellent (sprayed vs. not sprayed)
- Dependent: Number of mosquito bites after 2 hours
---
## 🍇 Scenario 3: Grape in Tap Water vs. Salt Water
> One grape is placed in tap water and another grape is placed in salt water. The change in their mass is measured after a day.
- Independent Variable: The type of water the grape is placed in (tap water vs. salt water).
→ This is what’s being changed intentionally.
- Dependent Variable: The change in mass of the grape after a day.
→ This measures the effect of the solution on the grape (osmosis!).
✔ Answer:
- Independent: Type of water (tap vs. salt)
- Dependent: Change in mass after a day
---
## ✔ Final Table:
| Scenario | Independent Variable | Dependent Variable |
|----------|-------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------|
| 1 | Growth hormone (given or not) | Weight at 2 years |
| 2 | Application of mosquito repellent | Number of mosquito bites after 2 hours |
| 3 | Type of water (tap vs. salt) | Change in mass after a day |
---
💡 Bonus Tip: In all cases, you’re comparing two groups (control vs. experimental) to see how changing one thing (IV) affects another (DV). That’s the core of scientific experimentation!
Let me know if you’d like to label control groups or constants too!
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of independent and dependent variables worksheet science.
