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Variables - Common Experiments

Science: KS3, topic 4.1.7

Variables - Common experiments

Rolling a ball down a ramp is a common experiment. Dissolving magnesium in acid is a common experiment. Common experiments have variables.

Common experiments

Common experiments

  • Common experiments include:
  • Rolling a ball down a ramp.
  • Checking which acid dissolves a ribbon of magnesium the quickest.
Rolling a ball down a ramp

Rolling a ball down a ramp

  • The ramp experiment aims to learn whether the height of a ramp affects speed.
  • The independent variable is the height of the ramp.
  • The dependent variable is the speed of the ball.
Ball control variables

Ball control variables

  • Control variables include:
  • The material of the ball
  • The material of the ramp
  • The mass of the ball
Dissolving magnesium

Dissolving magnesium

  • The magnesium experiment has an aim.
  • The aim is to learn which acid dissolves a ribbon of magnesium fastest.
  • The independent variable is the type of acid.
  • The dependent variable is how quickly the magnesium dissolves.
Magnesium control variables

Magnesium control variables

  • Control variables include:
  • The volume of the acid
  • The concentration of the acid
  • The length of the magnesium ribbon
  • The mass of the magnesium ribbon

Test yourself on Variables - Common Experiments

  • What is the independent variable in the magnesium experiment?

  • What are the control variables for the ball experiment?

  • What are the control variables for the magnesium experiment?

  • Select the correct statement for each pair

  • A student tests how ramp height affects a ball's speed. For one test, they swap to a ball with a different mass, but keep the ball and ramp materials the same. Which control variable has not stayed the same?

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