Grades 5–8
Science Experiment Mistake Finder
Help students identify experimental mistakes, evaluate fair tests, and explain how to improve scientific investigations.
Variables · Grades 5–8
Independent, Dependent & Controlled Variables Practice
Practice identifying different types of variables through real-world science experiments.
Ready to practice?
Choose a grade, topic and difficulty, then select Start New Practice.
What is an independent variable?
The independent variable is the one factor a scientist deliberately changes to see what happens. In a graph, it usually goes on the x-axis.
What is a dependent variable?
The dependent variable is what the scientist measures or observes. It "depends" on the independent variable and usually goes on the y-axis.
What is a controlled variable?
Controlled variables are all the conditions kept the same in every trial. Keeping them constant makes the experiment a fair test.
Examples of variables in science experiments
A few everyday investigations:
- Water temperature (independent) and how fast sugar dissolves (dependent)
- Ramp height (independent) and distance a ball rolls (dependent)
- Amount of fertilizer (independent) and number of leaves (dependent)
Tips for teachers
Ask students to phrase a question as "How does ___ affect ___?" The first blank is the independent variable and the second is the dependent variable.
Examples
Biology
How does the amount of light affect how fast algae grow?
Chemistry
How does water temperature affect how quickly salt dissolves?
Physics
How does ramp height affect how far a marble rolls?