Scientific Question & Variables | Grade 9 Science

Science with Dr. Johnson2 minutes read

Scientific questions involve independent, dependent, and control variables, with examples like temperature and growth rates being key factors that can be measured or changed. The IV is what is changed, like the volume of water in a plant growth study, while the DV is what is measured, such as the height of plant growth.

Insights

  • The three key variables in scientific questions are the independent variable (IV), which is what is changed in an experiment (e.g., volume of water), the dependent variable (DV), which is what is measured (e.g., plant height), and control variables that must remain constant to isolate the IV's effect (e.g., light quantity).
  • Scientific questions are structured around understanding how the independent variable affects the dependent variable, providing a clear framework for designing experiments and analyzing the impact of specific factors on outcomes.

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Recent questions

  • What are the key variables in scientific questions?

    Independent, dependent, and control variables.

  • How is the independent variable defined in an experiment?

    The factor that is changed or manipulated.

  • What is the role of control variables in scientific experiments?

    Maintain consistency and isolate effects.

  • How are scientific questions typically structured?

    "How does [independent variable] affect [dependent variable]."

  • Can you provide examples of independent and dependent variables?

    Temperature, growth rates, time, height of plant growth.

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Summary

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Key Variables in Scientific Questions and Experiments

  • Variables in scientific questions involve the independent, dependent, and control variables, with examples like temperature, growth rates, and time being key factors that can be changed or measured.
  • The independent variable (IV) is what is changed in an experiment, such as the volume of water in a plant growth study, measured in milliliters, while the dependent variable (DV) is what is measured, like the height of plant growth in centimeters.
  • Control variables are crucial in experiments to maintain consistency, such as keeping factors like light quantity, plant type, soil type, and water type constant to isolate the effect of the independent variable.
  • Scientific questions are typically structured as "How does [independent variable] affect [dependent variable]," ensuring clarity in formulating research inquiries based on the variables identified in the experiment.
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