Understanding the Independent Variable
A worksheet for Grade 9 Science students to understand, identify, and apply the concept of an independent variable in experimental design.
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Understanding the Independent Variable
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Read each question carefully and provide your best answer. This worksheet focuses on identifying and understanding the 'independent variable' in scientific experiments.
1. In an experiment, which variable is intentionally changed or manipulated by the researcher?
Dependent variable
Independent variable
Control variable
Extraneous variable
2. A scientist wants to test if the amount of sunlight affects plant growth. What is the independent variable in this experiment?
Plant growth
Amount of sunlight
Type of plant
Amount of water
3. The independent variable is the factor that is or varied by the experimenter.
4. In an experiment, the independent variable is plotted on the axis of a graph.
5. The independent variable is the outcome that is measured in an experiment.
True
False
6. A well-designed experiment should only have one independent variable.
True
False
7. A student is investigating how the temperature of water affects the dissolving rate of sugar. Identify the independent variable in this experiment.
8. Describe in your own words what an independent variable is and why it is crucial in scientific experimentation.
9. A pharmaceutical company is testing a new drug to lower blood pressure. They give different dosages of the drug to three groups of patients and a placebo to a fourth group. After a month, they measure the blood pressure of all patients.
Identify the independent variable in this scenario.