Name:

For each item below, specify the independent and dependent variables, as well as constants.

1. A study was done to find if different tire treads affect the braking distance of a car.

I: tire treads _ D: braking distance C: car, road _

2. The time it takes to run a mile depends on the person’s running speed.

I: running speed D: mile time C: person, time, _

3. The height of bean plants depends on the amount of water they receive.

I: amount of water D: height of plant C: type of plant _

4. The higher the temperature of the air in the oven, the faster a cake will bake.

I: temperature D: time baked C: oven, cake _

5. Lemon trees receiving the most water produced the most lemons.

I: amount of water D: lemons produced C: lemon tree _

6. An investigation found that more bushels of potatoes were produced when the soil was
fertilized more.

I: fertilized soil D: potatoes produced C: potato plant, water _

7. Students measured the temperature of the water at different depths in Lake Skywalker and
found that the temperature varied.

I: depths of lake D: temp of water C: which lake _

8. The amount of pollution produced by cars was measured for cars using gasoline containing
different amounts of lead.

I: amount of lead D: pollution produced C: gasoline, type of car_

9. Four groups of rats are first massed and then fed identical diets except for the amount of
vitamin A they receive. Each group gets a different amount. After 3 weeks on the diet, the rats’
masses are measured again to see if there has been a decrease.

I: vitamin A received D: weight C: type of rat, identical diets,

time on diet _
 Name:
Date: Period:

For each experiment below, specify the independent variable, dependent variable, control group and any
constants.

1. A student wanted to test how the mass of a paper airplane affected the distance it would fly. Paper clips were
added before each test flight. As each paper clip was added, the plane was tested to determine how far it would
fly.
Independent variable mass of paper

Dependent variable distance flown

Control paper clips added

Constant paper

2. Two groups of students were tested to compare their speed working math problems. Each group was given
the same problems. One group used calculators and the other group computed without calculators.

Independent variable calculators or not

Dependent variable speed of work

Control types of students

Constant same problems

3. Students of different ages were given the same puzzle to assemble. The puzzle assembly time was measured.

Independent variable ages

Dependent variable puzzle speed

Constant same puzzle

There can be several controlled variables. If an experiment is to be useful, only one variable at a time can
be manipulated intentionally. All other variables must be controlled throughout all parts of the
experiment. If more than one variable is altered (changed), the results of an experiment cannot be
interpreted with any validity.

4. An experiment was performed to determine how the amount of coffee grounds could affect the taste of
coffee. The same kind of coffee, the same percolator, the same amount and type of water, the same perking
time, and the same electrical sources were used.

Independent variable amount of coffee grounds

Dependent variable taste of coffee

Constants (3) same percolator, same amount and type of water, same perking time, same
electrical sources
 SpongeBob and his Bikini Bottom Pals have been busy doing a little research. Read
the description for each experiment and answer the questions.

1- Patty Power
Mr. Krabbs wants to make Bikini Bottom a nicer place to live. He has created a new
sauce that he thinks will reduce the production of body gas associated with eating
crabby patties from the Krusty Krab. He recruits 100 customers with a history of
gas problems. He has 50 of them (Groups A) eat crabby patties with the new sauce.
The other 50 (Group B) eat crabby patties with sauce that looks just like new sauce
but is really just a mixture of mayonnaise and food coloring. Both groups were told
that they were getting the sauce that would reduce gas production. Two hours after
eating the crabby patties, 30 customers in group A reported having fewer gas
problems and 8 customers in group B reported having fewer gas problems.

Which people are in the control group?

Group B

What is the independent variable?

The sauce.

What is the dependent variable?

Amount of body gas

Why do you think 8 people in group B reported feeling better?

The placebo effect, they believed the sauce reduced their body gas.

2- Slimotosis
Sponge Bob notices that his pal Gary is suffering from slimotosis, which occurs when
the shell develops a nasty slime and gives off a horrible odor. His friend Patrick tells
him that rubbing seaweed on the shell is the perfect cure, while Sandy says that
drinking Dr. Kelp will be a better cure. Sponge Bob decides to test this cure by
rubbing Gary with seaweed for 1 week and having him drink Dr. Kelp. After a week
of treatment, the slime is gone and Gary’s shell smells better.

What was the intial observation?

Nasty slime and horrible odor, slimotosis.

What is the independent variable?

The treatments

What is the dependent variable?

If the slime dissapears

What should Sponge Bob’s conclusion be?

The seaweed treatment and Dr. Kelp treatment works.

3- Marshmallow Muscles
Larry was told that a certain muscle cream was the newest best thing on the market
and claims to double a person’s muscle power when used as part of a muscle-building
workout. Interested in this product, he buys the special muscle cream and recruits
Patrick and SpongBob to help him with an experiment. Larry develops a special
marshmallow weight-lifting program for Patrick and SpongeBob. He meets with
them once every day for a period of 2 weeks and keeps track of their results. Before
each session Patrick’s arms and back are lathered in the muscle cream, while
SpongeBob’s arms and back are lathered with the regular lotion.

Use the charge below to answer the questions:

Which person is in the control group?

SpongeBob

What is the independent variable?

The muscle creams

What is the dependent variable?

How much the muscle power increases

What should Larry’s conclusion be?

The muscle cream does, in fact, increase muscle power.
Identify the Controls and Variables
Smithers thinks that a special juice will Identify the:
increase the productivity of workers. He
1. Control Group
creates two groups of 50 workers each and Group B
assigns each group the same task (in this
case, they're supposed to staple a set of 2. Independent Variable
papers). Group A is given the special juice The special juice
to drink while they work. Group B is not given the special juice.
3. Dependent Variable
After an hour, Smithers counts how many stacks of papers each Productivity
group has made. Group A made 1,587 stacks, Group B made
2,113 stacks. 4. What should Smithers' conclusion be?
Th special juice does not work, it only
decreases productivity.

5. How could this experiment be

improved?
6. Have the group with special drink
the juice before they work so they
don’t have to work while drinking
which wastes unnecessary time.

Homer notices that his shower is covered 6. What was the initial observation?
in a strange green slime. His friend Shower is covered in strange green
Barney tells him that coconut juice will slime.
get rid of the green slime. Homer decides
to check this out by spraying half of the Identify the-
shower with coconut juice. He sprays the 7. Control Group
other half of the shower with water. After The half of the shower sprayed in
3 days of "treatment" there is no change water.
in the
appearance of the green slime on either side of the shower. 8. Independent Variable
Coconut juice.

9. Dependent Variable
If green slime goes away.

10. What should Homer's conclusion

be?
Coconut juice does not work to
clean green juice.
Bart believes that mice exposed to microwaves will become extra Identify the-
strong (maybe he's been reading too much 11. Control/Group
The ten mice not exposed to radiation
Radioactive Man). He decides to perform this
experiment by placing 10 mice in a microwave 12. Independent Variable
for 10 seconds. He compared these 10 mice to Microwave time
another 10 mice that had not been exposed.
His test consisted of a heavy block of wood 13. Dependent Variable
If the mice are able to push the block
that blocked the mouse food. He found that 8
out of 10 of the microwaved mice were able to 14. What should Bart's conclusion be?
push the block away. 7 out of 10 of the non-microwaved mice Radiation does make the mice stronger
were able to do the same.
15. How could Bart's experiment be
improved?
Use other tests of strength.

Krusty was told that a certain itching powder was Identify the-
the newest best thing on the market; it even 16. Control Group
Group A
claims to cause 50% longer lasting itches.
Interested in this product, he buys the itching 17. Independent Variable
powder and compares it to his usual product. One New itching powder
test subject (A) is sprinkled with the original
itching powder, and another test subject (B) was 18. Dependent Variable
Amount of time itchy.
sprinkled with the Experimental itching powder.
Subject A reported having itches for 30 minutes. Subject B 19. Explain whether the data supports the
reported to have itches for 45 minutes. advertisements claims about its product.
Yes it does because it does in fact itch for
50% longer time.

Lisa is working on a science project. Her task is 20. Describe how Lisa would perform this
to answer the question: "Does Rogooti (which is a experiment. Identify the control group,
commercial hair product) affect the speed of hair and the independent and dependent
growth". Her family is willing to volunteer for the variables in your description.
experiment. 21. Use the product in a person A’s hair
and measure hair growth and don’t
put any product in Person B’s hair
and measure growth. Compare at
end.

22. Control: Person B

Independent: Hair product

Dependent: Hair growth