need help with variables

[nbko2bk]

I am doing the collapsing can experiment. I have my varaibles as follows

independent - the air pressure in the can whether it is heated or at room temperature

controlled - 15 ml of tap water added to the can

dependant - the cold water the can is dunked in

am i on the right track?

[deleted-71588]

You really need to share your hypothesis as it will give clues like if you change this (independent variable hint) then this will happen (dependent variable hint).

independent - the air pressure in the can whether it is heated or at room temperature

Independent variables are typically chosen so that you can directly measure them when adjusting them as a starting condition for an experimental trial. By stating that whether it is heated or at room temperature is telling me that "temperature" might be your independent variable which would make pressure dependent on temperature.

controlled - 15 ml of tap water added to the can

Controlled variables are things that you keep constant between trials so you are on the right track here; however, there are probably more things that you are controlling like using the same type of can.

dependant - the cold water the can is dunked in

This sounds more like a controlled variable, something you are trying to keep constant. Dependent variables are either either some measured outcome needed for evaluating your hypothesis (not sure how you measure anything meaniful on a crushed can but then I don't know your hypothesis) or in some cases are "calculated or intermediate variables". I suspect that "pressure" is probably one of these for your experiment.

[nbko2bk]

Thank You Craig....

My hypothesis is If the air pressure in an aluminum can is heated then placing the can in cold will drive out the air pressure causing the can to collapse.

[deleted-71588]

What grade are you in? It will help us adjust our replies to a grade appropriate level.

My hypothesis is If the air pressure in an aluminum can is heated then placing the can in cold [water] will drive out the air pressure causing the can to collapse.

There are a some things in your hypothesis that aren't very scientific. 1) I'm not sure how one "heats air pressure" or even what it means. 2) How are you going to determine that the cold water drives air out of the can? How much air was in the can after heating it? Maybe no air escapes during the cooling process. 3) A simple was the can crushed is more of a demonstration than an experiment. Determining how much pressure difference is required to crush the can would be more of an experiment than a demonstration.

You should do some research on how pressure, volume, and temperature of a gas (try searching for "ideal gas law") are related so you can refine your hypothesis.

[nbko2bk]

6th grade