Independent and Dependent Variables
Within every experiment, there has to be an independent and dependent variable. Identifying these variables is vital to the investigation. Without proper analysis of what the independent and dependent variables are, it can often be quite hard to maintain a fair experiment.
The independent variable is the variable in an experiment, which is purposely manipulated, often done to produce a response from the dependent variable. Sometimes, the independent variable cannot be controlled by the investigator (e.g. time), but the key concept is that the independent variable can exist independent (as the name suggests), from the dependent variable.
In this case, the independent variable is the colour of the different glasses (clear, light blue, dark blue, black), because it is the only variable which is manipulated and changed by the investigator, intentionally. By identifying what the independent variable is, we can ensure that this variable is the only one which is changed, and all other variables are kept constant, to create a fair experiment.
The dependent variable is the variable in the experiment, which is being measured and observed by the investigator. The dependent variable responds to the changes in the independent variable. As the name suggests, the dependent variable and its results depends on the independent variable, and it cannot exist independent of the independent variable.
In this case, the dependent variable is the rate at which heat is absorbed by the water, because it is what responds to the independent variable. By identifying what the dependent variable is, we can ensure that we are recording and observing the correct figures to achieve the aim of the experiment.
The independent variable is the variable in an experiment, which is purposely manipulated, often done to produce a response from the dependent variable. Sometimes, the independent variable cannot be controlled by the investigator (e.g. time), but the key concept is that the independent variable can exist independent (as the name suggests), from the dependent variable.
In this case, the independent variable is the colour of the different glasses (clear, light blue, dark blue, black), because it is the only variable which is manipulated and changed by the investigator, intentionally. By identifying what the independent variable is, we can ensure that this variable is the only one which is changed, and all other variables are kept constant, to create a fair experiment.
The dependent variable is the variable in the experiment, which is being measured and observed by the investigator. The dependent variable responds to the changes in the independent variable. As the name suggests, the dependent variable and its results depends on the independent variable, and it cannot exist independent of the independent variable.
In this case, the dependent variable is the rate at which heat is absorbed by the water, because it is what responds to the independent variable. By identifying what the dependent variable is, we can ensure that we are recording and observing the correct figures to achieve the aim of the experiment.