11.2.8

Variables

Test yourself

Variables

Imagine you want to test how the room temperature affects the melting of an ice cream.

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Independent variable

  • The independent variable is the factor that you manipulate.
  • There should only be one independent variable per experiment, so you know that this variable caused the results.
  • In our example, the room temperature is the independent variable.
Illustrative background for Dependent variableIllustrative background for Dependent variable ?? "content

Dependent variable

  • The dependent variable is what you observe or measure.
    • The dependent variable is affected by the independent variable.
  • In our example, the melting speed of the ice cream is the dependent variable.
Illustrative background for Controlled variables
Illustrative background for Controlled variables
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Controlled variables

  • The controlled variables are all the other factors that must be kept as constant as possible.
    • If controlled variables change, it will be impossible to know if the results were caused by the independent variable.
  • In our experiment, things like the flavour and the size of the ice cream are the controlled variables.

Jump to other topics

1Year 5: Living Things & Their Habitats

2Year 5: Animals (Including Humans)

3Year 5: Properties & Changes of Materials

4Year 5: Earth & Space

5Year 5: Forces

6Year 6: Living Things & Their Habitats

7Year 6: Animals (Including Humans)

8Year 6: Evolution & Inheritance

9Year 6: Light

10Year 6: Electricity

11Year 5 & 6: Working Scientifically

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