ATI TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) Version 7ScienceEasy
A student is conducting an experiment to determine if a new fertilizer affects plant growth. They apply the fertilizer to one group of plants and an equal amount of water to another group. They measure plant height weekly. In this experiment, what is the dependent variable?
- AThe plant height
- BThe type of plant
- CThe amount of water given
- DThe type of fertilizer used
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. The plant height
The dependent variable is the factor that is measured or observed as a result of the experimental manipulation. In this case, the student is measuring plant height to see if the fertilizer had an effect, making plant height the dependent variable.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. The type of plant is a controlled variable, as all plants should be of the same type for consistency.
- C. The amount of water given is a controlled variable, kept constant to ensure a fair test.
- D. The type of fertilizer is the independent variable, which is manipulated by the experimenter.
Dependent Variable
The variable that is measured or observed in an experiment, and whose value is expected to change in response to the independent variable.
- It's the 'effect' in a cause-and-effect relationship.
- Its value depends on changes made to the independent variable.
- Plotted on the Y-axis of a graph.
Memory trick: IV Changes, DV Depends, CV Controls.