Scientific Process Data Table Practice KEY
In your journal, for each of the following scenarios:
 Identify the variables and the groups. Include at least 3 likely controlled variables.
 Construct a data table and add in your own (pretend) data. Be sure to include appropriate headings,
units, and a title, as well as room for extra trials when possible. Don’t forget to use a ruler for neat data
tables.
1. After studying about recycling, members of John’s biology class investigated
the effect of various recycled products on plant growth. John’s lab group
decided to do an investigation on how grass compost effects the growth of
bean plants. The group hypothesized that older grass compost would produce
taller bean plants. Three flats of bean plants (25 plants/flat) were grown for 5
days and initial measurements of bean height were taken. The plants were
then fertilized as follows: (a) Flat A: 450 g of 3 month-old compost, (b) Flat B:
450 g of 6 month-old compost, and (c) Flat C: 0 g compost. The plants
received the same amount of sunlight and water each day. At the end of the 30
days the group recorded the height of the plants (cm).
Flats with Compost
Change on Plant Height after 25 Days (cm)
Plant 1
Plant 2
Plant 3
Plant 4
Include:
1. Manipulated Variable
Compost Age
2. Responding Variable
Plan growth
3. 3 Controlled variables
Light, Soil Composition,
Water quantity
4. Experimental Group
A and B
5. Control Group
C
6. Data Table
Average
Ect.. Plant 25
A: 3 month old compost
B: 6 month old compost
C: no compost
2. In Chemistry class, Allen determined the effectiveness of various metals in
releasing hydrogen gas from hydrochloric acid. Several weeks later, Allen read
that a utility company was burying lead next to iron pipes to prevent rusting.
Allen hypothesized that less rusting would occur with more active metals. He
placed the following into four separate beakers of water: (a) 1 iron nail, (b) 1
iron nail wrapped with an aluminum strip, (c) 1 iron nail wrapped with a
magnesium strip, (d) 1 iron nail wrapped with a lead strip. He used the same
amount of water, equal amounts (mass) of the metals and the same type of iron
nails. At the end of 5 days, he rated the amount of rusting as small, moderate,
or large. He also recorded the color of the water.
Type of Metal on Iron
Nail
None
Aluminum
Magnesium
Lead
Amount of Rust after 5 days
Trial 1
Trial 2
Include:
1. Manipulated Variable
Type of Metal
2. Responding Variable
Amount of Rusting
3. 3 Controlled variables
Amount of H20, type of nail,
and mass of metal
4. Experimental Group
B, C, and D
5. Control Group
A
6. Data Table
Average
Trial 3
3.
1.
2.
3.
Procedure (read this- don’t actually perform the procedure)
Cut a paper towel into strips 2 cm x 22 cm.
Fill a beaker with water. Add several drops of food coloring.
Place the paper towel strip 1 cm into the colored water for the time
intervals 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 seconds.
4. At the end of each time interval, mark the water levels with a pencil. Then
measure the height the liquid rose (in mm) and record the data.
5. Repeat steps 1 to 4 for a total of 3 trials.
6. Calculate the average height the liquid rose (mm).
Time in H2O
Water Height (mm)
Trial 1
Include:
1. Manipulated Variable
Time in Colored H2O
2. Responding Variable
Height Liquid Rises
3. 3 Controlled variables
Size of towel strips, amount
of h2o, amount of color
4. Experimental Group
15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40
seconds
5. Control Group
10 seconds
6. Data Table
Average
Trial 2
Trial 3
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
4. Procedure: (read this- don’t actually perform the procedure)
1. Place 75 ml of water in a beaker
2. Record the initial temperature of the water ( oC).
3. Measure the designated amount of the calcium chloride, such as 0, 1, 2, 3
scoops.
4. Add and stir the designated amount of the chemical for 2 minutes.
5. Record the temperature ( oC ) of the water at the end of 2 minutes.
6. Calculate the temperature change of the water.
7. Record the data.
Amount of CaCl (scoops)
Temperature ( oC ) after 2 minutes of stirring
Trial 1
Trial 2
Trial 3
Include:
1. Manipulated Variable
Amount of calcium chloride
2. Responding Variable
Temperature of H2O
3. 3 Controlled variables
Time stirred, size of scoop
and amount of H2O
4. Experimental Group
1, 2, and 3 scoops
5. Control Group
No scoops
6. Data Table
Average
0 scoops
1 scoop
2 scoops
3 scoops
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