Scientific Method

Name ______

For each identify the controls and variables

  1. Jim and Bonnie are arguing about who can hit a ball the farthest. They want you to help them determine who is the better hitter. You instruct them to use the batting machine and for them to attempt to hit 10 pitches each.
  2. What is the Problem?
  1. Independent Variable?
  1. Dependent Variable?
  1. Constant Variables (list at least 3)?
  1. Use the data table below to determine whom the better batter is. Calculate the average distance for each then construct a bar graph?

Jim’s Hits; DistanceBonnie’s Hits; Distance

Trial ball traveled (ft)ball traveled (ft)

1.012

2.2027

3.330

4.00

5.823

6.3720

7.019

8.3421

9.010

10.4815

f. What should the conclusion be? Why?

  1. A teaching machine is being used to determine if it is a good way to learn facts. Ten students have to learn some science facts. Five of the students will use the machine to help them learn the science facts the other 5 students study the facts without the machine.
  2. What is the Problem?
  1. Independent Variable?
  1. Dependent Variable?
  1. Constant Variables (list at least 3)?
  1. Use the data table below to determine if the machine works? Calculate an average score for each and construct a bar graph.

Score for studentsScore for students

Who used the MachineWho did Not use the Machine

4541

4639

3930

4027

2440

  1. What should the conclusion be? Why?

1. Melissa is going to do a science fair experiment to see how music affects math performance while taking a test.

a. What is the Problem?

b. Independent Variable?

c. Dependent Variable?

d. Constant Variables (list at least 3)?

c. What is the Control Group?

d. What should the conclusion be? Why?

e. The data table below shows the score out of 100 points for 20 students in 4 groups. For each type of music find the average score and then construct a bar graph of average math score vs type of music.

No Music Country MetalRap

7845327

80902123

69716569

87815971

59716368

Average

Score

2. Billy-Bob Jr. wants to know what the best fertilizer is for growing corn. He uses four pots and labels them A through D. He uses the same amount of soil, the same type of soil, the same amount of water and the same amount of sunlight for each group. For group A he did not add any fertilizer. For groups B, C and D he used different kinds of fertilizers. After three weeks he measured the height of the plants growing in the four pots and constructed the bar graph below.

Answer the questions below.

a. What is the problem?

b. Independent Variable?

c. Dependent Variable?

d. What is the control group?

e. Constant Variables (list at least 3)?

f. Use the bar graph below to determine which fertilizer works best?

Height

(cm)

AB C D

Fertilizer

  1. What should the conclusion be? Why?

Identify the variables for the experiments below.

  1. Will we get more potatoes if we use fertilizer?
  1. Explain how you would test this question
  1. What variables would you keep the same (constants) to ensure the results are trustworthy?
  1. What is the dependent variable?
  1. What is the independent variable?
  1. What is the control group?