Lesson 2 - Variables

Watch the video on 'scientific variables'

in your books:

1. Define
   1. Independent Variable
   2. Dependent Variable
   3. Control Variable
2. Give Examples of each variable from the video

Harry Styles

• One Direction are about to play at Wembley Arena and they are undecided which hair product will make Harrys hair curly for longer.
• Should he use ‘Wonderful curls’, ‘Curly wurly curls’ or ‘Stylish curls’?
• He needs you to design an investigation to find out which product will keep his hair curly for the longest.

Discuss with your partner the following questions:

1. What is the independent variable? (what’s being changed?)

2. What is the dependent variable? (what’s being measured?)

3. Which variables need to be controlled?

The 3 variables to choose from are:

• The hair
• The type of hair product
• The time the hair stays curly

Libby Trickett

• Libby Trickett is undecided which footwear she should wear for the 10-pin bowling championship.
• Should she wear her high heels, her athletic spikes or bowling shoes?
• She needs you to design an investigation to see which type of footwear is best for use in a ten pin bowling alley

Discuss with your partner the following questions:

1. What is the independent variable? (what’s being changed?)
2. What is the dependent variable? (what’s being measured?)
3. Which variables need to be controlled?

The 3 variables to choose from are:

• The person bowling
• The footwear
• The bowling score

Usain Bolt

• Usain Bolt has just been selected to skate for Dancing on Ice and he is undecided which of his favourite shirts will keep him warmest.
• Should he wear his running shirt, his Jamaica shirt or his “I love New York” t-shirt?
• He needs you to design an investigation to find out which shirt will keep him the warmest.

Discuss with your partner the following questions:

1. What is the independent variable? (what’s being changed?)
2. What is the dependent variable? (what’s being measured?)
3. Which variables need to be controlled?

The 3 variables to choose from are:

• How hot or cold Usain Bolt feels
• The shirt
• The room temperature

Rihanna

• Rihanna wants to go skipping but does not know which length rope to use.
• Should she use a 1m, 2m or 3m length skipping rope?
• She needs you to design an investigation to see which length of skipping rope will allow her to do the most skips.

Discuss with your partner the following questions:

1. What is the independent variable? (what’s being changed?)
2. What is the dependent variable? (what’s being measured?)
3. Which variables need to be controlled?