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Variables

Science: Year 5 & 6 National Curriculum, topic 11.2.8

Variables

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

Independent variable

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.
Dependent variable

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.
Controlled variables

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.

Test yourself on Variables

  • What is the variable that you change in an experiment?

  • What is the variable that you observe or measure in an experiment?

  • Bobby is investigating how the size of a paper aeroplane affects the distance it flies. What is the dependent variable?

  • Lizzie is investigating how the amount of water affects the growth of a plant. What is the independent variable?

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