Engaging worksheet on dependent and independent variables - Free Printable
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Step-by-step solution for: Engaging worksheet on dependent and independent variables
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Show Answer Key & Explanations
Step-by-step solution for: Engaging worksheet on dependent and independent variables
Let's go through each scenario and identify the independent variable (the factor that is deliberately changed or manipulated) and the dependent variable (the outcome that is measured or observed as a result).
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One chicken is injected with a growth hormone while another chicken is not injected. Both chickens are weighed after a year.
- Independent Variable: Growth hormone (whether or not the chicken receives it)
- Dependent Variable: Weight of chickens
✔ Already filled in correctly.
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A bug repellent is sprayed on one arm; the other arm is not sprayed. The number of bug bites is recorded after 2 hours.
- Independent Variable: Application of bug repellent (sprayed vs. not sprayed)
- Dependent Variable: Number of bug bites
> ✔ Explanation: The treatment (repellent) is what’s being changed; the result (number of bites) is what’s being measured.
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Javier sleeps 9 hours the night before his science exam. His twin sister has the same exam and sleeps 6 hours the night before the test. Afterwards, they compare their scores.
- Independent Variable: Amount of sleep (9 hours vs. 6 hours)
- Dependent Variable: Exam scores
> ✔ Explanation: Sleep duration is manipulated (difference between twins), and the outcome (test score) is measured.
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Group A exercises for a month. Group B does not exercise. They measure the amount of weight they gained.
- Independent Variable: Exercise (exercising vs. not exercising)
- Dependent Variable: Amount of weight gained
> ✔ Explanation: The group's activity level is controlled (exercise or no exercise); weight gain is the result being observed.
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One math class studies for an assessment while the math class next door does not. The scores of the two classes are compared.
- Independent Variable: Studying (studied vs. did not study)
- Dependent Variable: Test scores
> ✔ Explanation: Whether students studied is the manipulated factor; test performance is the measured outcome.
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One plant is given sunlight every day. Another plant is not given any sunlight. After 3 weeks, we measure how tall the plant is.
- Independent Variable: Sunlight exposure (with sunlight vs. no sunlight)
- Dependent Variable: Height of the plant
> ✔ Explanation: Light is the factor being changed; plant height is the result.
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One plant is given sunlight for 12 hours a day. Another plant is not given any sunlight. After 3 weeks, we compare how green each plant looks.
- Independent Variable: Sunlight exposure (12 hours vs. no sunlight)
- Dependent Variable: How green the plant looks (color/health)
> ✔ Explanation: Light is manipulated; the visual appearance (greenness) is the observed result.
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| Scenario | Independent Variable | Dependent Variable |
|--------|----------------------|--------------------|
| 1 | Growth hormone | Weight of chickens |
| 2 | Application of bug repellent | Number of bug bites |
| 3 | Amount of sleep | Exam scores |
| 4 | Exercise | Amount of weight gained |
| 5 | Studying | Test scores |
| 6 | Sunlight exposure | Height of the plant |
| 7 | Sunlight exposure | How green the plant looks |
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- Independent Variable: What you *change* or *manipulate*.
- Dependent Variable: What you *measure* or *observe* as a result.
This helps scientists understand cause-and-effect relationships in experiments.
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🔹 Scenario 1:
One chicken is injected with a growth hormone while another chicken is not injected. Both chickens are weighed after a year.
- Independent Variable: Growth hormone (whether or not the chicken receives it)
- Dependent Variable: Weight of chickens
✔ Already filled in correctly.
---
🔹 Scenario 2:
A bug repellent is sprayed on one arm; the other arm is not sprayed. The number of bug bites is recorded after 2 hours.
- Independent Variable: Application of bug repellent (sprayed vs. not sprayed)
- Dependent Variable: Number of bug bites
> ✔ Explanation: The treatment (repellent) is what’s being changed; the result (number of bites) is what’s being measured.
---
🔹 Scenario 3:
Javier sleeps 9 hours the night before his science exam. His twin sister has the same exam and sleeps 6 hours the night before the test. Afterwards, they compare their scores.
- Independent Variable: Amount of sleep (9 hours vs. 6 hours)
- Dependent Variable: Exam scores
> ✔ Explanation: Sleep duration is manipulated (difference between twins), and the outcome (test score) is measured.
---
🔹 Scenario 4:
Group A exercises for a month. Group B does not exercise. They measure the amount of weight they gained.
- Independent Variable: Exercise (exercising vs. not exercising)
- Dependent Variable: Amount of weight gained
> ✔ Explanation: The group's activity level is controlled (exercise or no exercise); weight gain is the result being observed.
---
🔹 Scenario 5:
One math class studies for an assessment while the math class next door does not. The scores of the two classes are compared.
- Independent Variable: Studying (studied vs. did not study)
- Dependent Variable: Test scores
> ✔ Explanation: Whether students studied is the manipulated factor; test performance is the measured outcome.
---
🔹 Scenario 6:
One plant is given sunlight every day. Another plant is not given any sunlight. After 3 weeks, we measure how tall the plant is.
- Independent Variable: Sunlight exposure (with sunlight vs. no sunlight)
- Dependent Variable: Height of the plant
> ✔ Explanation: Light is the factor being changed; plant height is the result.
---
🔹 Scenario 7:
One plant is given sunlight for 12 hours a day. Another plant is not given any sunlight. After 3 weeks, we compare how green each plant looks.
- Independent Variable: Sunlight exposure (12 hours vs. no sunlight)
- Dependent Variable: How green the plant looks (color/health)
> ✔ Explanation: Light is manipulated; the visual appearance (greenness) is the observed result.
---
✔ Final Answer Table:
| Scenario | Independent Variable | Dependent Variable |
|--------|----------------------|--------------------|
| 1 | Growth hormone | Weight of chickens |
| 2 | Application of bug repellent | Number of bug bites |
| 3 | Amount of sleep | Exam scores |
| 4 | Exercise | Amount of weight gained |
| 5 | Studying | Test scores |
| 6 | Sunlight exposure | Height of the plant |
| 7 | Sunlight exposure | How green the plant looks |
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📌 Summary:
- Independent Variable: What you *change* or *manipulate*.
- Dependent Variable: What you *measure* or *observe* as a result.
This helps scientists understand cause-and-effect relationships in experiments.
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of variables worksheet science.
