Controlling variables

Question 1

You want to find out if the kind of background music played while children work on a jigsaw puzzle changes how quickly they finish the puzzle. You will test three music conditions: no music, classical music, and pop music. All other things will be kept the same. Which answer correctly lists the independent variable, the dependent variable, and at least two variables that must be controlled?

Accepted Answer

Independent: type of music; Dependent: time taken to finish the puzzle; Controlled: puzzle picture, number of pieces, and room lighting.

Answer

Independent: time taken to finish the puzzle; Dependent: type of music; Controlled: puzzle picture, number of pieces, and room temperature.

Answer

Independent: type of music; Dependent: puzzle picture; Controlled: time taken, number of pieces, and room lighting.

Answer

Independent: number of puzzle pieces; Dependent: time taken to finish; Controlled: type of music, puzzle picture, and room lighting.

Question 2

A student is designing a paper airplane that will travel the farthest distance. To develop a model that will help the student improve the design through testing, which step should the student take first?

Accepted Answer

Create several wing shapes, fly each one the same number of times, and record the distance each airplane travels.

Answer

Ask friends which design they think will fly the farthest without any test flights.

Answer

Paint each airplane a different color and choose the one that looks most aerodynamic.

Answer

Write a description of the airplane’s appearance but do not conduct any test flights.

Question 3

A team is designing a reusable water bottle that keeps water cold for as long as possible. To develop a model that will generate data for iterative testing and modification, which step should they include?

Accepted Answer

Change only one design feature at a time, test each version, record how long the water stays cold, and use the results to decide the next change.

Answer

Build a single prototype, test it once, and keep the same design.

Answer

Test many different shapes at once but do not record the cooling times.

Answer

Choose a new shape they think looks best, build it, and assume it will work better without testing.

Try three questions

A student is designing a paper airplane that will travel the farthest distance. To develop a model that will help the student improve the design through testing, which step should the student take first?

A team is designing a reusable water bottle that keeps water cold for as long as possible. To develop a model that will generate data for iterative testing and modification, which step should they include?

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