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Academic Year 2024-25
Grade: MYP1
Topic Name: Atoms, Elements & Compounds
Key Concept: Change
Related Concept(s): Function, Form
Global Context: Fairness and development
Students will explore: access to equal opportunity
Statement of Inquiry: Science enables us to change the form of matter into useful
materials that can make the world a better place.
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Identifying Variables
For each of the investigations described you need to identify the independent variable
(IV), dependent variable (DV) and the controlled variable (CV).
Remember:
The independent variable is changed by the investigator, and
The dependent variable is measured and recorded
The controlled variable are the things that are kept the same
1. John was investigating how the amount of sunlight affects the size of the leaves
of a tree.
IV: amount of sunlight
DV: size of leaves
CV: type of tree, soil, water, temperature etc.
2. Sasha did a series of investigations to see if the height of a ball's bounce was
dependent on the size of the ball!
IV: size of the ball
DV: height of balls bounce
CV: surface, height from which ball is dropped
3. Elizabeth carried out an investigation to observe the relationship between water
temperature and how quickly it can be frozen.
IV: temperature of the water
DV: time taken to freeze
CV: temperature of freezer, quantity of water, container type
4. Rhys was investigating how far a car continued to travel after braking on
different road surfaces.
IV: type of road surface
DV: distance the car continues to travel after braking
CV: car speed before braking, type of car
5. Mohammed carried out an investigation to find out how far a spring could be
stretched before it wouldn't recoil to its original shape again.
IV: distance upto which the spring is streched
DV: length of the scale after recoil
CV: type of spring, material of spring
6. Zi Xin was carrying out a experiment to see how the number of bulbs in a circuit
affected the brightness
IV: number of bulbs in a circuit
DV: brightness of the bulbs
CV: type of bulbs, length of wire, voltage of the bulb
7. A student wanted to test how the mass of a paper airplane affected the distance
it would fly. Paper clips were added before each test flight. As each paper clip
was added, the plane was tested to determine how far it would fly
IV: mass of airplane, (number of paper clips)
DV: distance the plane flies
CV: size of paper, angle at which the plane is thrown, strength of the throw
8. Tony and Ann were conducting an experiment to see what happens when baking
soda and vinegar are mixed. Look at the picture and identify the independent
variable, dependent variable and controlled variable.
Source: “Identifying Variables Worksheet Worksheet.” Liveworksheets, www.liveworksheets.com/w/en/science/53351. Accessed 3
Aug. 2023.
IV: amount of baking soda
DV: size of balloon
CV: container, quantity of vinegar
10. You water some plants with 4 different types of water (salt water, regular water,
sugar water and distilled water). After a two-week period, the height of the plants is
measured.
IV: type of water
DV: height of plants
CV: soil, light, amount of water, type of plants
11. Green pea plants are given different amounts of water for a three-week period.
First pea plant receives 400 milliliters. Second pea plant receives 200 milliliters. Third
pea plant receives 100 milliliters. Fourth pea plant does not receive any extra water;
the plant only receives natural ways of receiving water. The height of the pea plants
is recorded daily.
IV: amount of water
DV: height of pea plant
CV: sunlight, soil, type of pot
Bibliography:
Name: Class: Date given: Date Due in: Identifying Variables,
cvm.ttlt.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/03/Year-7-and-8-Science-Identifying-
variables.pdf. Accessed 3 Aug. 2023.
“Identifying Variables Worksheet Worksheet.” Liveworksheets,
www.liveworksheets.com/w/en/science/53351. Accessed 3 Aug. 2023.
