what does a variable mean in science
What Does a Variable Mean in Science?
There are various parameters that need modifications during the course of an experiment. These parameters that change or need to be changed after a particular interval of time are known as a variables. This Buzzle article provides information about them, with examples.
- Variables should be measurable.
- Control variable(s) should be constant.
- Dependent variables are dependent on independent variables.
What Does a Variable Mean in Scientific Terms?
Any particular element, factor, or a component present in a system, which when changed can result in a predictable variation in the system, is termed as a variable. A variable comes into play in science, usually as a part of some form of an experiment. Changes can be brought in a variable or it can be manipulated as a part of the experiment.- Control Variable
- Independent Variable
- Dependent Variable
Control Variable
A variable that remains unchanged to the completion of an experiment is known as a control variable. Its value remains the same until the experiment establishes some relation between the other variables. Also, this variable can be controlled by the user.Independent Variable
An independent variable is the one that does not vary according to any other parameter in the experiment. People who conduct experiments have control over the variations in these variables and can introduce changes in them to observe the effects on the system.Dependent Variable
A dependent variable is the one that is dependent on the independent variable. These variables are not under the control of the observers since their values change according to variations in the independent variables.Example 1
Consider a simple experiment to find out the effect of water on the growth of plants. Take two plants, plant A and plant B of the same type for this experiment. Use the same source of water for watering these plants. Feed these plants with different quantities of water from a common water source. As a result of the changes in amounts of water that is supplied to the plants, their growth will not be the same.
In this case, the source of water remains the same throughout the experiment. The water source thus is a control variable. Each plant is watered with different amount of water. This makes the quantity of water that each plant receives an independent variable, whereas the growth of these plants becomes a dependent variable since it depends upon the amount of water the plants are provided with.
➤ Control variable: Source of water, sunlight, fertilizers, size of pot etc.
➤ Independent variable: Quantity of water
➤ Dependent variable: Growth of plants
Example 2
Take into consideration the Ohm's law, which can be represented as,
V = IR
Where,
V = the voltage or the potential drop
I = the current that flows across the circuit
R = the resistance offered by the circuit to the current flow
The resistance of a circuit remains unchanged throughout the course of the experiment, hence it is the control variable. The current flowing across the circuit will vary according to the applied voltage. Thus, voltage is a variable that the user can control, and therefore, it is an independent variable in this experiment. On the other hand, current flowing across the circuit changes with the changes in the voltage, and hence, it is a dependent variable in this experiment.
➤ Control variable: Resistance
➤ Independent variable: Voltage
➤ Dependent variable: CurrentExample 3
Consider an experiment that finds out if heating water makes it possible to dissolve more sugar. In this example, the amount of water used is constant to the end of the experiment, and thus, it becomes a control variable in this experiment. The temperature that is used to heat water can be controlled by the person performing this experiment, and so, it is an independent variable in this case. Since the amount of sugar that dissolves in water will vary according to the temperature, it is a dependent variable here.
➤ Control variable: Water
➤ Independent variable: Temperature
➤ Dependent variable: Amount of sugar dissolvedExample 4
In an experiment, the effects of varying voltage on the speed of an electric motor are to be determined. Here, the electric motor that is used will remain unchanged which is the control variable in this experiment. The voltage applied to this electric motor is controlled by the users and is changed to establish the required relationship. Thus, it is the independent variable in the experiment. On the other hand, the speed of the motor is an outcome of the applied voltage, so it becomes the dependent variable in this case.
➤ Control variable: Electric motor
➤ Independent variable: Voltage
➤ Dependent variable: SpeedExample 5
Take an example to find the amount of water that runs through a faucet when opened at different levels (half open, full open, closed). Here, the type of faucet used is constant to the completion of the experiment, and thus, is the control variable. The opening level of faucet that the user can control is the independent variable in this experiment. And finally, the amount of water that flows through the faucet relies on the opening level of faucet, and hence is a dependent variable in this experiment.
➤ Control variable: Faucet
➤ Independent variable: Faucet opening level
➤ Dependent variable: Amount of water flowing through the faucet