Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Hello,
I have a question regarding variables in this experiment. I understand that the independent variable will be temperature, but what would the dependent variable be? Is that also the constant? Would that be the chrysalis? We have 10 chrysalis to do this experiment with.
THank you for your help!

Hello!

This is a great question, and also very crucial to this experiment and any other ones in the future. Your dependent variable is what changes in response to your manipulation. In other words, it is what you are recording. In your particular experiment, the dependent variable would be the rate of butterfly development. This variable, if temperature effects the rate, should change across all ten chrysalis. Remember that your dependent variable is not interchangeable with your constant (Your constant should never change). Thus the chrysalis, environment, sunlight, etc. are all constants.

Hello,

This is a very interesting experiment! Also, make sure you are using the same species or type of butterfly as another important constant.

Good luck with your project!
-cnoonan180