Dependent & Independent Variables
High School Physical Science
Teacher Notes
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The Hypothesis
The hypothesis is a cause and effect statement. The statement must be
testable. The statement will contain a dependent and an independent
variable. An example of a hypothesis is shown below.
Increasing the temperature of water makes the drink mix dissolve more
rapidly.
When developing a hypothesis, remember the following:
• Does your hypothesis contain something that is measureable?
• Are the objects required to test your hypothesis easily accessible?
• Is the hypothesis biased in any way?
Dependent and Independent Variables
Scientific experiments have a dependent variable and an independent
variable. The dependent variable is the output of the experiment. This is the
variable that is expected to change during the experiment.
The independent variable is the cause or input of the experiment. The
independent variable will cause the dependent variable to change. It is the
input in the experiment.
Dependent and Independent Variables
Increasing the temperature of water makes the drink mix dissolve more
rapidly.
In the example above, the water temperature is the independent variable.
The increase of this temperature is the cause for the speed with which the
drink mix is dissolved.
The dissolution of the drink mix is the dependent variable. The scientist
expects that the rise in temperature of the water will result in the dissolution
of the drink mix.
Choose the dependent and independent variables.
Circle the independent variables in each hypothesis. Underline the dependent
variables.
1.
Pea plants will grow more slowly when exposed to wind.
2.
Adding peanut oil to water increases the amount of time it will take
the water to boil.
3.
The weight of an object is directly related to how fast it will fall.
Choose the dependent and independent variables.
Circle the independent variables in each hypothesis. Underline the dependent
variables.
1.
Pea plants will grow more slowly when exposed to wind.
2.
Adding peanut oil to water increases the amount of time it will take
the water to boil.
3.
The weight of an object is directly related to how fast it will fall.
Develop a hypothesis.
Develop a hypothesis. Identify the dependent and independent variable in
your hypothesis statement. Explain your reasoning.
Develop a hypothesis.
Develop a hypothesis. Identify the dependent and independent variable in
your hypothesis statement. Explain your reasoning.
Answers will vary.
Rita is interested in finding out what brand of dry cell battery will power a
motor longest before becoming depleted. She purchases the same size
batteries in several different brands, making sure that their expiration dates
are the same. She builds an oval track and measures its length. She puts a AA
battery into a toy train, and allows it to run on the track. Rita counts the
number of times the train goes around the track before stopping and records
this number. She then repeats this process using a different brand of battery.
What is the dependent variable in this experiment?
a. the store at which dry cell batteries were purchased
b. brand of dry cell battery used
c. the store at which dry cell batteries were purchased
d. number of times the train goes around the track before stopping
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