Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

We are testing different liquids to see which will have an affect on metal. directions ask for 1 independent variable. If several liquids are used, is each considered an independent variable? What would be the independent variable?

The independent variable would be: " the type of material". Thus when you change the type of material you are chaning the independent variable.

If the metal used for all experiments is identical, then it is a constant and the liquid is the variable and you have only one independent variable, e.g. the liquid. Because you are using multiple liquids, you have multiple "values" for that independent variable {liquid 1, liquid 2, liquid 3,...}.

Independent variable is what you are changing in your experiment. The dependent variable is the out come.