Printable science worksheet designed to help students practice identifying independent variables, dependent variables, and controls in various experimental scenarios.

Problem Explanation:

The task involves identifying the independent variable (IV), dependent variable (DV), and control for each experiment described. Here's a breakdown of each part:

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1. Becky's Experiment

- Description: Becky is testing which liquid works best for growing beans. She waters three groups of plants with different liquids: one with cocoa cola, one with orange juice, and one with just water. After one week, she measures how much they have grown.

#### Solution:
- Independent Variable (IV): The type of liquid used to water the plants (cocoa cola, orange juice, or water). This is what Becky is manipulating to observe its effect on plant growth.
- Dependent Variable (DV): The height of the plants after one week. This is what Becky is measuring to determine the effect of the different liquids.
- Control: The group of plants watered with just water. This serves as a baseline to compare the effects of cocoa cola and orange juice.

#### Final Answer:
a. Independent Variable (IV): Type of liquid used to water the plants.
b. Dependent Variable (DV): Height of the plants after one week.
c. Control: Plants watered with just water.

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2. Jason's Experiment

- Description: Jason wants to find out which fertilizer works best for growing marigolds. He puts Miracle Gro on one set of plants, Scotts fertilizer on another, and no fertilizer on a third set.

#### Solution:
- Independent Variable (IV): The type of fertilizer used (Miracle Gro, Scotts, or no fertilizer). This is what Jason is manipulating to observe its effect on plant growth.
- Dependent Variable (DV): The growth of the marigolds. This is what Jason is measuring to determine the effectiveness of the fertilizers.
- Control: The group of plants with no fertilizer. This serves as a baseline to compare the effects of Miracle Gro and Scotts fertilizer.

#### Final Answer:
a. Independent Variable (IV): Type of fertilizer used.
b. Dependent Variable (DV): Growth of the marigolds.
c. Control: Plants with no fertilizer.

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3. Shania's Experiment

- Description: Shania wants to see if eating apples helps her do better on her classwork. On Day 1, she doesn't eat any apples. On Day 2, she eats one apple. On Day 3, she eats two apples. On Day 4, she eats three apples. Each day, she records the grades she gets on her science work.

#### Solution:
- Independent Variable (IV): The number of apples Shania eats each day (0, 1, 2, or 3 apples). This is what Shania is manipulating to observe its effect on her grades.
- Dependent Variable (DV): The grades Shania receives on her science work. This is what Shania is measuring to determine the effect of eating apples.
- Control: Day 1, when Shania eats no apples. This serves as a baseline to compare the effects of eating different numbers of apples.

#### Final Answer:
a. Independent Variable (IV): Number of apples eaten each day.
b. Dependent Variable (DV): Grades received on science work.
c. Control: Day 1 (no apples).

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4. Spencer's Experiment

- Description: Spencer wants to see if listening to music makes basketball players make more baskets. On Day 1, he plays no music and counts how many baskets the players make in 10 minutes. On Day 2, he plays rap music and counts the baskets. On Day 3, he plays pop music and counts the baskets.

#### Solution:
- Independent Variable (IV): The type of music played (no music, rap music, or pop music). This is what Spencer is manipulating to observe its effect on the number of baskets made.
- Dependent Variable (DV): The number of baskets made by the basketball players in 10 minutes. This is what Spencer is measuring to determine the effect of the music.
- Control: Day 1, when no music is played. This serves as a baseline to compare the effects of rap music and pop music.

#### Final Answer:
a. Independent Variable (IV): Type of music played.
b. Dependent Variable (DV): Number of baskets made in 10 minutes.
c. Control: Day 1 (no music).

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Final Summary of Answers:

1.
- a. Independent Variable (IV): Type of liquid used to water the plants.
- b. Dependent Variable (DV): Height of the plants after one week.
- c. Control: Plants watered with just water.

2.
- a. Independent Variable (IV): Type of fertilizer used.
- b. Dependent Variable (DV): Growth of the marigolds.
- c. Control: Plants with no fertilizer.

3.
- a. Independent Variable (IV): Number of apples eaten each day.
- b. Dependent Variable (DV): Grades received on science work.
- c. Control: Day 1 (no apples).

4.
- a. Independent Variable (IV): Type of music played.
- b. Dependent Variable (DV): Number of baskets made in 10 minutes.
- c. Control: Day 1 (no music).

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Boxed Final Answer:

\[
\boxed{
\begin{array}{l}
1. \text{a. Type of liquid used to water the plants.} \\
\text{b. Height of the plants after one week.} \\
\text{c. Plants watered with just water.} \\
2. \text{a. Type of fertilizer used.} \\
\text{b. Growth of the marigolds.} \\
\text{c. Plants with no fertilizer.} \\
3. \text{a. Number of apples eaten each day.} \\
\text{b. Grades received on science work.} \\
\text{c. Day 1 (no apples).} \\
4. \text{a. Type of music played.} \\
\text{b. Number of baskets made in 10 minutes.} \\
\text{c. Day 1 (no music).} \\
\end{array}
}
\]