What are controlled variables? Give an example.
Controlled variables are the factors or conditions in an experiment that are deliberately kept constant or unchanged throughout the study. These variables are not meant to be manipulated and are often used as a reference point to compare the effects of the independent variable. By controlling these variables, researchers can ensure that any observed changes are solely due to the independent variable.
Example: In an experiment studying the effect of temperature on plant growth, the controlled variables may include factors such as the type of soil used, the amount of water provided, the duration of exposure to light, and the concentration of fertilizer. These variables are kept constant for all plants in the study, allowing researchers to isolate and attribute any differences in plant growth solely to the variations in temperature.
Controlled variables, also known as constant variables, are the factors or elements in an experiment that are intentionally kept consistent or unchanged in order to ensure that the only factor influencing the dependent variable is the independent variable being tested. In simple terms, controlled variables are the variables that are not being manipulated but are kept the same throughout the experiment.
An example of a controlled variable could be the temperature in an experiment testing the effect of different fertilizers on plant growth. In this case, the temperature of the environment would be kept constant at a specific level for all plants being tested. By maintaining a consistent temperature, any differences in plant growth can be attributed to the different fertilizers used, rather than temperature fluctuations.
Controlled variables are the factors in a scientific experiment that are kept constant and unchanged throughout the entire experiment. They are important because they help ensure that any observed changes or results are solely due to the independent variable, which is the variable that is deliberately manipulated.
An example of a controlled variable can be seen in an experiment investigating the effect of temperature on plant growth. In this experiment, factors such as the type of soil, amount of water, light exposure, and the chosen plant species would be controlled variables. By keeping these factors constant, we can isolate the specific effect of temperature on plant growth, as any differences in growth can be attributed solely to the changes in temperature.