A gardener is investigating whether Brand X fertilizer will increase the growth rate of the rose plants growing in an outdoor garden. Which rose plant would be the control for this investigation?
A. a rose plant in the garden given only water and sunlight
B. a rose plant in the garden given Brand X fertilizer, water, and sunlight
C. a rose plant in a container given Brand X fertilizer and placed inside a greenhouse
D. a rose plant in a container given only water and sunlight and placed inside a greenhouse
A control group is a group which does not receive the treatment which in this case is the fertilizer. So A would be the best choice
To determine the control for this investigation, we need to understand the purpose of a control group. In an experiment, a control group is a group that does not receive the treatment being tested. Its purpose is to provide a baseline for comparison against the group that receives the treatment.
In this case, the gardener is investigating whether Brand X fertilizer will increase the growth rate of rose plants. Therefore, the control group should not receive the Brand X fertilizer.
Looking at the options provided,
A. a rose plant in the garden given only water and sunlight: This option does not include the Brand X fertilizer, making it a potential control group.
B. a rose plant in the garden given Brand X fertilizer, water, and sunlight: This plant is receiving the Brand X fertilizer, so it is not a control group.
C. a rose plant in a container given Brand X fertilizer and placed inside a greenhouse: Similar to option B, this plant is receiving the Brand X fertilizer, so it is not a control group.
D. a rose plant in a container given only water and sunlight and placed inside a greenhouse: This option does not include the Brand X fertilizer, making it a potential control group.
Based on these considerations, the correct control for this investigation would be option A: a rose plant in the garden given only water and sunlight.