Independent and Dependent Variables worksheet with scenarios for identifying variables in experiments.
Worksheet titled "Independent and Dependent Variables" with nine scenarios asking to identify independent, dependent, and constant variables in scientific experiments.
JPG
1000×1291
106.1 KB
Free · Personal Use
Quality Assured by Worksheets Library Team
Reviewed for educational accuracy and age-appropriateness
ID: #271814
⭐
Show Answer Key & Explanations
Step-by-step solution for: Independent and Dependent variables worksheet
▼
Show Answer Key & Explanations
Step-by-step solution for: Independent and Dependent variables worksheet
Let's go through each item and identify the Independent Variable (I), Dependent Variable (D), and Constants (C).
---
- Independent Variable (I): The variable that is deliberately changed or manipulated by the experimenter.
- Dependent Variable (D): The outcome that is measured; it depends on the independent variable.
- Constants (C): Factors that are kept the same throughout the experiment to ensure a fair test.
---
- I: Type of tire tread
- D: Braking distance
- C: Car model, speed, road conditions, driver, weight of car, brake condition
> *Explanation:* Tire tread type is what’s being changed. Braking distance is what’s being measured. Other factors must stay constant to isolate the effect of tire tread.
---
- I: Running speed
- D: Time to run a mile
- C: Distance (1 mile), terrain, weather, footwear, runner's fitness level (if comparing one person over time)
> *Explanation:* Speed is manipulated (or varies); time is the result. The distance is fixed at 1 mile, so it’s a constant.
---
- I: Amount of water
- D: Height of bean plants
- C: Type of plant, soil, sunlight, temperature, pot size, seed quality
> *Explanation:* Water amount is varied; plant height is measured. All other growing conditions should be kept constant.
---
- I: Oven temperature
- D: Baking time (how fast the cake bakes)
- C: Recipe (amount of ingredients), oven type, cake size, altitude, pan material
> *Explanation:* Temperature is changed; baking time is observed. Other factors like recipe and pan type must remain constant.
---
- I: Amount of water
- D: Number of lemons produced
- C: Type of lemon tree, sunlight, soil quality, fertilizer, age of tree, climate
> *Explanation:* Water is the factor being varied; number of lemons is the outcome. Other growing conditions should be held constant.
---
- I: Amount of fertilizer
- D: Bushels of potatoes produced
- C: Soil type, planting depth, water amount, sunlight, potato variety, planting date
> *Explanation:* Fertilizer amount is manipulated; yield is measured. Other agricultural factors are controlled.
---
- I: Depth of water
- D: Water temperature
- C: Location in lake, time of day, season, water source, measurement method
> *Explanation:* Depth is the variable being tested; temperature is the result. Time and location are kept consistent.
---
- I: Amount of lead in gasoline
- D: Amount of pollution produced
- C: Car model, engine size, driving conditions, speed, fuel efficiency, distance traveled
> *Explanation:* Lead content in fuel is changed; pollution output is measured. Car and driving conditions must be consistent.
---
- I: Amount of vitamin A in diet
- D: Change in rat mass (or final mass)
- C: Diet (except vitamin A), initial mass, environment, cage conditions, water, light cycle, duration of experiment
> *Explanation:* Vitamin A level is varied; change in body mass is measured. All other aspects of care and feeding are kept the same.
---
| # | I | D | C |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Type of tire tread | Braking distance | Car model, speed, road conditions, etc. |
| 2 | Running speed | Time to run a mile | Distance (1 mile), terrain, weather, etc. |
| 3 | Amount of water | Height of bean plants | Type of plant, soil, sunlight, etc. |
| 4 | Oven temperature | Baking time | Recipe, cake size, oven type, etc. |
| 5 | Amount of water | Number of lemons produced | Type of tree, sunlight, soil, etc. |
| 6 | Amount of fertilizer | Bushels of potatoes produced | Soil type, water, sunlight, etc. |
| 7 | Depth of water | Water temperature | Location, time of day, season, etc. |
| 8 | Amount of lead in gasoline | Amount of pollution produced | Car model, driving conditions, etc. |
| 9 | Amount of vitamin A | Change in rat mass | Diet (except vitamin A), environment, etc. |
Let me know if you'd like this formatted as a printable answer sheet!
---
Definitions:
- Independent Variable (I): The variable that is deliberately changed or manipulated by the experimenter.
- Dependent Variable (D): The outcome that is measured; it depends on the independent variable.
- Constants (C): Factors that are kept the same throughout the experiment to ensure a fair test.
---
1. A study was done to find if different tire treads affect the braking distance of a car.
- I: Type of tire tread
- D: Braking distance
- C: Car model, speed, road conditions, driver, weight of car, brake condition
> *Explanation:* Tire tread type is what’s being changed. Braking distance is what’s being measured. Other factors must stay constant to isolate the effect of tire tread.
---
2. The time it takes to run a mile depends on the person’s running speed.
- I: Running speed
- D: Time to run a mile
- C: Distance (1 mile), terrain, weather, footwear, runner's fitness level (if comparing one person over time)
> *Explanation:* Speed is manipulated (or varies); time is the result. The distance is fixed at 1 mile, so it’s a constant.
---
3. The height of bean plants depends on the amount of water they receive.
- I: Amount of water
- D: Height of bean plants
- C: Type of plant, soil, sunlight, temperature, pot size, seed quality
> *Explanation:* Water amount is varied; plant height is measured. All other growing conditions should be kept constant.
---
4. The higher the temperature of the air in the oven, the faster a cake will bake.
- I: Oven temperature
- D: Baking time (how fast the cake bakes)
- C: Recipe (amount of ingredients), oven type, cake size, altitude, pan material
> *Explanation:* Temperature is changed; baking time is observed. Other factors like recipe and pan type must remain constant.
---
5. Lemon trees receiving the most water produced the most lemons.
- I: Amount of water
- D: Number of lemons produced
- C: Type of lemon tree, sunlight, soil quality, fertilizer, age of tree, climate
> *Explanation:* Water is the factor being varied; number of lemons is the outcome. Other growing conditions should be held constant.
---
6. An investigation found that more bushels of potatoes were produced when the soil was fertilized more.
- I: Amount of fertilizer
- D: Bushels of potatoes produced
- C: Soil type, planting depth, water amount, sunlight, potato variety, planting date
> *Explanation:* Fertilizer amount is manipulated; yield is measured. Other agricultural factors are controlled.
---
7. Students measured the temperature of the water at different depths in Lake Skywalker and found that the temperature varied.
- I: Depth of water
- D: Water temperature
- C: Location in lake, time of day, season, water source, measurement method
> *Explanation:* Depth is the variable being tested; temperature is the result. Time and location are kept consistent.
---
8. The amount of pollution produced by cars was measured for cars using gasoline containing different amounts of lead.
- I: Amount of lead in gasoline
- D: Amount of pollution produced
- C: Car model, engine size, driving conditions, speed, fuel efficiency, distance traveled
> *Explanation:* Lead content in fuel is changed; pollution output is measured. Car and driving conditions must be consistent.
---
9. Four groups of rats are first massed and then fed identical diets except for the amount of vitamin A they receive. Each group gets a different amount. After 3 weeks on the diet, the rats’ masses are measured again to see if there has been a decrease.
- I: Amount of vitamin A in diet
- D: Change in rat mass (or final mass)
- C: Diet (except vitamin A), initial mass, environment, cage conditions, water, light cycle, duration of experiment
> *Explanation:* Vitamin A level is varied; change in body mass is measured. All other aspects of care and feeding are kept the same.
---
✔ Final Answers:
| # | I | D | C |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Type of tire tread | Braking distance | Car model, speed, road conditions, etc. |
| 2 | Running speed | Time to run a mile | Distance (1 mile), terrain, weather, etc. |
| 3 | Amount of water | Height of bean plants | Type of plant, soil, sunlight, etc. |
| 4 | Oven temperature | Baking time | Recipe, cake size, oven type, etc. |
| 5 | Amount of water | Number of lemons produced | Type of tree, sunlight, soil, etc. |
| 6 | Amount of fertilizer | Bushels of potatoes produced | Soil type, water, sunlight, etc. |
| 7 | Depth of water | Water temperature | Location, time of day, season, etc. |
| 8 | Amount of lead in gasoline | Amount of pollution produced | Car model, driving conditions, etc. |
| 9 | Amount of vitamin A | Change in rat mass | Diet (except vitamin A), environment, etc. |
Let me know if you'd like this formatted as a printable answer sheet!
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of independent variable dependent variable worksheet.
