Variables

Variables on PhotoPeach

In studying agents of weathering & erosion in recent weeks, our classes have learned to identify variables in scientific investigations. By the way, we think hands-on science is REALLY COOL!

Controlled Variables- also known as “Controls”
These are set-ups that remain in their original condition as we participate in an investigation, so that after a lab, we can look back at them and compare our end results with what the original, “un-touched” condition was like.

Untouched “sugar cube”, “cookie”, and “sand tray”

Independent Variables- also referred to as what “I” did (“I”ndependent)
This refers to what "we" as the experimenters change as we progress through a lab.

We changed from slow to vigorous shaking to see the effects of “wind” weathering on “rocks” (sugar cubes).

We changed from 5 squirts, to 10 squirts, to 15 squirts to see “water” weathering on earth (cookies).

We changed from "no wind breaker" (barrier) to adding a wind breaker in order to see how people work to prevent “wind” erosion.


“D”ependent Variables- also referred to as the (“D”ata)

This refers to what changed or happened in the experiment as a result of the Independent Variable (what "I" did).

*The vigorously shaken cubes were more weathered than the gently shaked cubes.
*The more saturated cookies were more weathered than the less saturated cookies.
*The wind breakers stopped the wind from eroding and hitting the “building” at the end of the tray.

For Behavior Bucks, leave a comment on what the independent and dependent variable would be in the following experiment:

Carter's Plant Experiment.....

Carter wants to test the effects of plant growth with and without sunlight. He buys two identical plants at the hardware store. He puts "Plant A" in a dark closet and "Plant B" in front of a window to receive sunlight. Each day he checks his plants and records data on what he observes. He also carefully waters each plant the same amount of water once each week. After three weeks, Carter finds that Plant B grows better because it receives sunlight.

What was the independent variable in this experiment?
What was the dependent variable in this experiment?
Be sure to leave your first name at the end of your comment!