Let’s go through each investigation one by one. Remember:
- The
independent variable is what the student changes or chooses to test.
- The
dependent variable is what gets measured as a result — it depends on the independent variable.
---
1. A student investigated how the intensity of light affects the surface area of leaves on a tree.
→ What’s being changed? → Intensity of light
→ What’s being measured? → Surface area of leaves
Independent variable:
intensity of light
Dependent variable:
surface area of leaves
---
2. A student investigated whether the height of a person affects how fast they can run.
→ What’s being changed or compared? → Height of person (different people with different heights)
→ What’s being measured? → How fast they can run
Independent variable:
height of a person
Dependent variable:
how fast they can run
---
3. A student investigated the amount of energy stored in different brands of crisps.
→ What’s being changed? → Brand of crisps (different brands)
→ What’s being measured? → Amount of energy stored
Independent variable:
brand of crisps
Dependent variable:
amount of energy stored
---
4. A student investigated whether the height a ball bounces depends on the ball’s circumference.
→ What’s being changed? → Circumference of the ball (using balls of different sizes)
→ What’s being measured? → Height the ball bounces
Independent variable:
ball’s circumference
Dependent variable:
height a ball bounces
---
5. A student investigated how the rate of a reaction was affected by temperature.
→ What’s being changed? → Temperature
→ What’s being measured? → Rate of reaction
Independent variable:
temperature
Dependent variable:
rate of reaction
---
6. A student investigated which colour of flower attracts the most bees.
→ What’s being changed? → Colour of flower
→ What’s being measured? → Number of bees attracted (or “most bees” means counting them)
Independent variable:
colour of flower
Dependent variable:
number of bees attracted
---
Final Answer:
1.
Independent variable: intensity of light
Dependent variable: surface area of leaves
2.
Independent variable: height of a person
Dependent variable: how fast they can run
3.
Independent variable: brand of crisps
Dependent variable: amount of energy stored
4.
Independent variable: ball’s circumference
Dependent variable: height a ball bounces
5.
Independent variable: temperature
Dependent variable: rate of reaction
6.
Independent variable: colour of flower
Dependent variable: number of bees attracted
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of scientific variables worksheet.
