Variables Worksheet for identifying independent, dependent, and control variables in science experiments.
A science worksheet titled "Variables Worksheet" with four experiments listed, each asking to identify independent variable (IV), dependent variable (DV), and control. The worksheet includes a space for name, date, and period, and is decorated with illustrations of a beaker, a flask, and a microscope.
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Show Answer Key & Explanations
Step-by-step solution for: Scientific method variables (worksheet) | PDF
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Show Answer Key & Explanations
Step-by-step solution for: Scientific method variables (worksheet) | PDF
Absolutely! Let’s break down each experiment and identify the Independent Variable (IV), Dependent Variable (DV), and Control. I’ll explain each one clearly so you understand *why* each is assigned that way.
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> Becky wanted to figure out what type of liquid worked best for growing beans. She watered one with Coca-Cola, one with lemonade, and one with just water. After one week, she measured how high they had grown.
- a. Independent Variable (IV):
➤ Type of liquid used to water the beans
*(This is what Becky is deliberately changing — Coca-Cola, lemonade, or water.)*
- b. Dependent Variable (DV):
➤ Height of the bean plants after one week
*(This is what she measures to see the effect — how tall the plants grew.)*
- c. Control:
➤ Same type of bean seeds, same pot size, same amount of liquid given, same light/temperature conditions, same duration (one week)
*(These are the constants — things kept the same so only the liquid type affects growth.)*
✔ Why? The IV is what you change on purpose. The DV is what you measure as a result. Controls are everything else you keep steady to ensure a fair test.
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> Jason wanted to find out what fertilizer worked best for growing marigolds. He put Miracle Grow on one, Scotts fertilizer on another, and no fertilizer on a third.
- a. Independent Variable (IV):
➤ Type of fertilizer applied (Miracle Grow, Scotts, or none)
*(He’s testing different fertilizers — this is his variable.)*
- b. Dependent Variable (DV):
➤ Growth or health of the marigolds (e.g., height, number of flowers, leaf color)
*(He would measure how well the plants grew under each fertilizer.)*
- c. Control:
➤ Same type of marigold plant, same soil, same pot size, same watering schedule, same sunlight, same time period
*(All other factors are held constant so only fertilizer type affects the outcome.)*
✔ Note: Even “no fertilizer” is part of the IV — it’s a treatment level (control group).
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> Shania wanted to see if eating apples would help her do better on her classwork. Day 1: 0 apples; Day 2: 1 apple; Day 3: 2 apples; Day 4: 3 apples. She recorded science grades each day.
- a. Independent Variable (IV):
➤ Number of apples eaten per day
*(She’s changing this intentionally — 0, 1, 2, 3 apples.)*
- b. Dependent Variable (DV):
➤ Science grade she received each day
*(This is what she’s measuring to see if apples affect performance.)*
- c. Control:
➤ Same subject (science), same type of assignment/test difficulty, same study habits, same sleep, same time of day for work
*(These should be kept constant so only apple intake affects the grade.)*
⚠️ Important Caveat: This is a weak experiment because many other variables (like test difficulty or mood) could affect grades — but for the worksheet, we assume those are controlled.
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> Raekwon wanted to see if listening to music makes basketball players make more baskets. Day 1: no music; Day 2: rap music; Day 3: classical music. Counted baskets in 10 minutes each day.
- a. Independent Variable (IV):
➤ Type of music played (none, rap, classical)
*(This is what he changes between trials.)*
- b. Dependent Variable (DV):
➤ Number of baskets made in 10 minutes
*(This is the measurable outcome — how many shots they made.)*
- c. Control:
➤ Same players, same court, same hoop, same ball, same time limit (10 min), same lighting/weather, same warm-up routine
*(Everything else must stay the same so only music type affects performance.)*
✔ Bonus Tip: The “no music” day serves as the control group — it’s the baseline to compare against.
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## ✔ Final Answers Summary:
a. IV: Type of liquid (Coca-Cola, lemonade, water)
b. DV: Height of bean plants
c. Control: Same beans, pots, light, water volume, time, etc.
a. IV: Type of fertilizer (Miracle Grow, Scotts, none)
b. DV: Growth/health of marigolds
c. Control: Same plant, soil, pot, water, sunlight, time
a. IV: Number of apples eaten per day
b. DV: Science grade each day
c. Control: Same subject, assignment difficulty, study habits, sleep, etc.
a. IV: Type of music (none, rap, classical)
b. DV: Number of baskets made in 10 minutes
c. Control: Same players, court, ball, time, lighting, warm-up, etc.
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Let me know if you’d like to turn this into a printable answer sheet or need help designing your own experiment! 😊
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🔬 1. Becky’s Bean Experiment
> Becky wanted to figure out what type of liquid worked best for growing beans. She watered one with Coca-Cola, one with lemonade, and one with just water. After one week, she measured how high they had grown.
- a. Independent Variable (IV):
➤ Type of liquid used to water the beans
*(This is what Becky is deliberately changing — Coca-Cola, lemonade, or water.)*
- b. Dependent Variable (DV):
➤ Height of the bean plants after one week
*(This is what she measures to see the effect — how tall the plants grew.)*
- c. Control:
➤ Same type of bean seeds, same pot size, same amount of liquid given, same light/temperature conditions, same duration (one week)
*(These are the constants — things kept the same so only the liquid type affects growth.)*
✔ Why? The IV is what you change on purpose. The DV is what you measure as a result. Controls are everything else you keep steady to ensure a fair test.
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🌸 2. Jason’s Marigold Fertilizer Experiment
> Jason wanted to find out what fertilizer worked best for growing marigolds. He put Miracle Grow on one, Scotts fertilizer on another, and no fertilizer on a third.
- a. Independent Variable (IV):
➤ Type of fertilizer applied (Miracle Grow, Scotts, or none)
*(He’s testing different fertilizers — this is his variable.)*
- b. Dependent Variable (DV):
➤ Growth or health of the marigolds (e.g., height, number of flowers, leaf color)
*(He would measure how well the plants grew under each fertilizer.)*
- c. Control:
➤ Same type of marigold plant, same soil, same pot size, same watering schedule, same sunlight, same time period
*(All other factors are held constant so only fertilizer type affects the outcome.)*
✔ Note: Even “no fertilizer” is part of the IV — it’s a treatment level (control group).
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🍎 3. Shania’s Apple & Grades Experiment
> Shania wanted to see if eating apples would help her do better on her classwork. Day 1: 0 apples; Day 2: 1 apple; Day 3: 2 apples; Day 4: 3 apples. She recorded science grades each day.
- a. Independent Variable (IV):
➤ Number of apples eaten per day
*(She’s changing this intentionally — 0, 1, 2, 3 apples.)*
- b. Dependent Variable (DV):
➤ Science grade she received each day
*(This is what she’s measuring to see if apples affect performance.)*
- c. Control:
➤ Same subject (science), same type of assignment/test difficulty, same study habits, same sleep, same time of day for work
*(These should be kept constant so only apple intake affects the grade.)*
⚠️ Important Caveat: This is a weak experiment because many other variables (like test difficulty or mood) could affect grades — but for the worksheet, we assume those are controlled.
---
🏀 4. Raekwon’s Music & Basketball Experiment
> Raekwon wanted to see if listening to music makes basketball players make more baskets. Day 1: no music; Day 2: rap music; Day 3: classical music. Counted baskets in 10 minutes each day.
- a. Independent Variable (IV):
➤ Type of music played (none, rap, classical)
*(This is what he changes between trials.)*
- b. Dependent Variable (DV):
➤ Number of baskets made in 10 minutes
*(This is the measurable outcome — how many shots they made.)*
- c. Control:
➤ Same players, same court, same hoop, same ball, same time limit (10 min), same lighting/weather, same warm-up routine
*(Everything else must stay the same so only music type affects performance.)*
✔ Bonus Tip: The “no music” day serves as the control group — it’s the baseline to compare against.
---
## ✔ Final Answers Summary:
1. Becky’s Beans
a. IV: Type of liquid (Coca-Cola, lemonade, water)
b. DV: Height of bean plants
c. Control: Same beans, pots, light, water volume, time, etc.
2. Jason’s Marigolds
a. IV: Type of fertilizer (Miracle Grow, Scotts, none)
b. DV: Growth/health of marigolds
c. Control: Same plant, soil, pot, water, sunlight, time
3. Shania’s Apples
a. IV: Number of apples eaten per day
b. DV: Science grade each day
c. Control: Same subject, assignment difficulty, study habits, sleep, etc.
4. Raekwon’s Basketball
a. IV: Type of music (none, rap, classical)
b. DV: Number of baskets made in 10 minutes
c. Control: Same players, court, ball, time, lighting, warm-up, etc.
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Let me know if you’d like to turn this into a printable answer sheet or need help designing your own experiment! 😊
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of scientific variables worksheet.
