Variable help
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maddiekey
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Sat Nov 29, 2014 1:01 pm
- Occupation: Student: 8th grade
- Project Question: Could you help me determine the independent variable, dependent variable, and constant variable in the project Biowarfare: Experiment with viruses that destroy bacteria.
- Project Due Date: ASAP
- Project Status: I am finished with my experiment and analyzing the data
Variable help
What are the variables (independent, dependent, and constant) for the science fair project Biowarfare: Experiment with viruses that destroy bacteria? Thanks
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deleted-132180
- Former Expert
- Posts: 302
- Joined: Thu Apr 04, 2013 12:27 pm
- Occupation: Graduate Student
- Project Question: I am volunteering for the "Ask an Expert" program.
- Project Due Date: I am volunteering for the "Ask an Expert" program.
- Project Status: Not applicable
Re: Variable help
Hi there,
Have you taken a look at the Science Buddies page that explains what experimental variables are? If you haven't, you should take a look at it, as it explains the concepts very well with clear examples. https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... evariables
Basically, the independent variable in an experiment is the one that you are changing. In an experiment, scientists make observations on the dependent variable, which is basically the response to the change in the independent variable. Constant variables are quantities that you want to hold constant in your experiment. The reason why is because if you change more than one variable at a time, you wouldn't know to which change your dependent variable is responding. In the link that I sent you, the "examples" tab gives some very nice examples of how to identify these variables in an experiment. Why don't you take a look at this and see if you can use these guidelines to figure out what the variables are in the Biowarfare experiment. Once you have those figured out, please post back and we can discuss your thoughts together and see if you've identified the correct ones!
Best,
Connie
Have you taken a look at the Science Buddies page that explains what experimental variables are? If you haven't, you should take a look at it, as it explains the concepts very well with clear examples. https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... evariables
Basically, the independent variable in an experiment is the one that you are changing. In an experiment, scientists make observations on the dependent variable, which is basically the response to the change in the independent variable. Constant variables are quantities that you want to hold constant in your experiment. The reason why is because if you change more than one variable at a time, you wouldn't know to which change your dependent variable is responding. In the link that I sent you, the "examples" tab gives some very nice examples of how to identify these variables in an experiment. Why don't you take a look at this and see if you can use these guidelines to figure out what the variables are in the Biowarfare experiment. Once you have those figured out, please post back and we can discuss your thoughts together and see if you've identified the correct ones!
Best,
Connie
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Muhammad Sarwar
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Sat Nov 29, 2014 3:27 pm
- Occupation: Student 6th grade
- Project Question: My reason is that i need help in my project name Ice tray battery.and my question is how to write HYPOTHESIS.
- Project Due Date: 30 November 2014
- Project Status: I am conducting my experiment
Re: Variable help
Hi,
Science buddies[/color][/color] please help me with my question i just have 12 hours after i have to submit my project my question is how to write HYPOTHESIS for science project name ICE TRAY BATTERY please tell me as fast you can.
Science buddies[/color][/color] please help me with my question i just have 12 hours after i have to submit my project my question is how to write HYPOTHESIS for science project name ICE TRAY BATTERY please tell me as fast you can.
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Muhammad Sarwar
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Sat Nov 29, 2014 3:27 pm
- Occupation: Student 6th grade
- Project Question: My reason is that i need help in my project name Ice tray battery.and my question is how to write HYPOTHESIS.
- Project Due Date: 30 November 2014
- Project Status: I am conducting my experiment
Re: Variable help
Can you help m?!!!!!!!!!!!
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Muhammad Sarwar
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Sat Nov 29, 2014 3:27 pm
- Occupation: Student 6th grade
- Project Question: My reason is that i need help in my project name Ice tray battery.and my question is how to write HYPOTHESIS.
- Project Due Date: 30 November 2014
- Project Status: I am conducting my experiment
Re: Variable help
i have a big question have you ever help someone? if you did so help me fast and when i am going to get my answer .
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maddiekey
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Sat Nov 29, 2014 1:01 pm
- Occupation: Student: 8th grade
- Project Question: Could you help me determine the independent variable, dependent variable, and constant variable in the project Biowarfare: Experiment with viruses that destroy bacteria.
- Project Due Date: ASAP
- Project Status: I am finished with my experiment and analyzing the data
Re: Variable help
I am thinking that the independent variable is the concentration of the bacteriophage. The dependent variable is the number of plaques and the constant is the amount of the bacteria.
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deleted-140482
- Former Expert
- Posts: 186
- Joined: Fri Aug 09, 2013 12:56 pm
- Occupation: Postdoctoral Fellow
- Project Question: Signing up to be an Expert
- Project Due Date: n/a
- Project Status: Not applicable
Re: Variable help
Great job Maddie! That's exactly how I would define the variables in that experiment. Technically, of course, there are actually multiple constants for the experiment, since a constant is anything that is held the same across all of your experimental groups, but the amount of bacteria is certainly one of them.
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deleted-132180
- Former Expert
- Posts: 302
- Joined: Thu Apr 04, 2013 12:27 pm
- Occupation: Graduate Student
- Project Question: I am volunteering for the "Ask an Expert" program.
- Project Due Date: I am volunteering for the "Ask an Expert" program.
- Project Status: Not applicable
Re: Variable help
Hi Maddie,
Exactly! Great job. As JMP mentioned, in addition to the amount of bacteria, there are actually multiple constants for the experiment as well (for example, the soft agar tubes you use are all the same type, the broth tubes are all the same type, the petri dishes are all the same type, etc.).
Let us know if you have anymore questions!
Connie
Exactly! Great job. As JMP mentioned, in addition to the amount of bacteria, there are actually multiple constants for the experiment as well (for example, the soft agar tubes you use are all the same type, the broth tubes are all the same type, the petri dishes are all the same type, etc.).
Let us know if you have anymore questions!
Connie

