Help with variables question

[HopePressler1]

My son has asked several questions for his science fair project about rockets. One of the questions is whether model rockets will reach the peak altitude listed on the box. He is having trouble identifying the variables for that question. What would be the independent and dependent variables?
Thank you for your help.

[norman40]

Hi HopePressler1,

An independent variable is bleep that the scientist changes in an experiment to observe a response in a dependent variable. Science Buddies has a great tutorial about variables here:

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... /variables

Based on the information you posted, peak altitude is the dependent variable. The independent variable would be dictated by the specific experimental plan. For example, you could compare peak altitudes for two different rocket designs. In this case the rocket design is the independent variable.

I hope this helps. Please ask again if you have more questions.

A. Norman

[HopePressler1]

Thank you for the response. My son has three other questions: engine type and peak speed, engine type and peak altitude, and engine type and time of parachute release. I think from your response that the question about if the rockets actually reach the peak altitude listed on the box is more of an observation than a science fair question. Does that sound accurate to you?

[norman40]

Hi HopePressler1,

The question “does the rocket reach the listed peak altitude” is not quite enough for a science fair project. You'd need to add an independent variable that you might expect to influence the peak altitude.
For example you might ask if the rocket reaches the listed peak altitude in fair weather conditions. In this case the independent variable would be weather conditions and you might measure and compare peak altitudes observed in fair and poor weather.

I hope this helps. Please ask again if you have more questions.

A. Norman