Understanding Dependent Variables
A worksheet for 3rd graders to understand dependent variables in science experiments.
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Understanding Dependent Variables
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Read each question carefully and answer to the best of your ability. A dependent variable is what you measure in an experiment. It's the 'effect' that changes because of what you did.
1. In an experiment, the dependent variable is what you or observe.
2. The dependent variable because of the changes you make.
3. If you want to see how much a plant grows with different amounts of water, the plant's is the dependent variable.
4. Sarah wants to know if different types of soil affect how tall her bean plants grow. What is the dependent variable in Sarah's experiment?
5. A scientist is testing if a new type of fertilizer makes flowers bloom faster. What is the dependent variable in this experiment?
6. The dependent variable is the thing you change on purpose in an experiment.
True
False
7. The dependent variable is the outcome you are trying to find out.
True
False
8. A student wants to see if the amount of sunlight affects how many leaves a plant grows. What is the dependent variable?
Amount of sunlight
Number of leaves
Type of plant
Size of the pot
Look at the image below of a plant. Imagine you are doing an experiment to see how different amounts of water affect its height.
9. In this experiment, what would be the dependent variable?