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Science 7 - Episode 2

This document provides information about variables in scientific experiments. It defines independent, dependent, and control variables. The independent variable is the factor that is intentionally changed. The dependent variable is the factor that is measured. The control variables are kept the same. Two examples are given to identify these variables. The first example is about dissolving sugar with different stirring rates. The second is about dissolving rock salt with different particle sizes.

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Caryll Baylon
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428 views4 pages

Science 7 - Episode 2

This document provides information about variables in scientific experiments. It defines independent, dependent, and control variables. The independent variable is the factor that is intentionally changed. The dependent variable is the factor that is measured. The control variables are kept the same. Two examples are given to identify these variables. The first example is about dissolving sugar with different stirring rates. The second is about dissolving rock salt with different particle sizes.

Uploaded by

Caryll Baylon
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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SELF-LEARNING MATERIAL 2

SCIENCE
Grade 7
Name: ________________________________________
Date: ________________
School: _______________________________________

Competency: Describe the components of a scientific investigation. (S7MT-Ia-1)


Subtask: Identify and describe the independent, dependent and control variables.
Review/Motivation
Picture Analysis
Figure 2. How does the amount of fertilizer
Figure 1. How does the amount of water
affect plant growth (height)?
affect number of flowers bloomed?

To answer these questions, one should consider the things that might affect the experiment.
These things are referred to as variables.

Discussion
Variables are an important part of science projects and experiments. What is a variable?
Basically, a variable is any factor that can be controlled, changed, or measured in an experiment.

Types of variables:
1. Independent Variable is the variable that can stand alone and is not affected or changed by
the other variables.

Example: In an experiment shown in Figure1, the independent variable is the amount or


volume of water that the plant receives each day while in Figure 2, the independent variable is
the amount of fertilizer applied on each plant.
2. Dependent Variable is the variable being measured or observed.

Example: Based from the experiment shown in Figure 1, the dependent variable is the number of
flowers it bloomed while in Figure 2, the dependent variable is still the growth (height) of the
plant measured after couple of days.

3. Controlled Variable or constant variable is a variable that does not change or is kept constant
or the same throughout the experiment in order to have a fair testing or investigation.

Example: Refer to the experiment shown in Figure 1, the constant or control variables are type
of soil, size of the flower pot, kind of plant, and amount of sunlight while in Figure 2, the
constant or control variables are amount of water, size of the pot, and the amount of sunlight.

Example 1
Describe independent, dependent and control variables by using the variables in the given
situation.
Situation 1
James wanted to determine if the rate of stirring will affect how fast sugar dissolves in water.
He used 2 clear transparent bottles with 1 cup of water and 1 teaspoon of sugar in each bottle.
The temperature of water in two set-ups is 30 degrees Celsius. He stirred the solution faster in
cup A than in cup B. He took the time for the sugar to dissolve completely. He found out that
the sugar crystals in cup A dissolves faster than in cup B.

1. In this situation, the independent variable is the rate of stirring because changing the rate
of stirring affects the time to completely dissolve the sugar in the water.

2. The dependent variable is the time noted to completely dissolve the sugar in a given amount
of water because the time needed to completely dissolve the sugar depends or is affected
by the rate of stirring.

3. Lastly, the control variables are the type of bottle, amount of sugar, volume of water and
temperature of water because these are kept constant throughout the investigation.

Situation 2
John wanted to determine which will dissolve faster- rock salt or powdered rock salt.He
measured 1 spoon of rock salt and dissolved it in 1 cup of tap water at room temperature. He
noted the time until the salt crystals completely dissolved. Then, he measured 1 spoon of rock
salt and powdered it using mortar and pestle (use other means to powder the rock salt in the
absence of a mortar and pestle).Then, he dissolved it in 1 cup of tap water still at room
temperature. He also noted the time until all the salt crystals completely dissolved.
Example 2
Describe independent, dependent and control variables by using the variables in the given
situation.

1. In this situation, the independent variable is the size of the salt crystals because changing
the size of the salt crystals affect the time to completely dissolve the salt in the water.

2. The dependent variable is the time noted to completely dissolve the salt in a given amount of
water because the time needed to completely dissolve the salt depends or is affected by the size
of the salt crystals.

3. Lastly, the control variables are the amount of salt, volume of water and the temperature of
water because these are kept constant throughout the investigation
ACTIVITY FOR SELF-LEARNING MATERIAL 2
SCIENCE
Grade 7
Name: ________________________________________ Date: ________________
School: _______________________________________ Score: _______________

Competency: Describe the components of a scientific investigation. (S7MT-Ia-1)

Subtask: Identify and describe the independent, dependent and control variables.

Instructions: Identify and describe the independent, dependent and control variables in the
given situation below.

Activity 1:
SITUATION 1

Ann wanted to determine if hot water can dissolve coffee faster than cold water. Cup A is filled with hot
water and Cup B with cold water. The volume of water is the same. She added one sachet of coffee to each
cup and stir. She noticed that coffee dissolved faster in cup while in cup B it remained undissolved.

1. In this situation, the independent variable is __________________________________


___________ because __________________________________________________________.
2. In this situation, the dependent variable is ____________________________________
____________because _________________________________________________________.
3. In this situation, the control variables are ____________________________________
____________because__________________________________________________________.

Activity 2:

SITUATION 2

A researcher wanted to determine the effect of the volume to the growth (height) of okra plant. He planted 40
okra in his garden using the same type of soil, the same amount of fertilizer and exposed to the same amount of
sunlight. Each plant in Group 1 with 20 okra plants were watered with 500ml of water while the other 20 okra
plants in group 2 were watered with 1Liter of water. After 30 days, he measured the height of the okra plants.

1. In this situation, the independent variable is __________________________________


__________ because___________________________________________________________.
2. In this situation, the dependent variable is ____________________________________
___________because __________________________________________________________.
3. In this situation, the control variables are ____________________________________
____________because__________________________________________________________.

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