A student suspends a nail in four different liquids to determine which solution will rust a nail first. She uses tap water, salt water, lake water, and bottled water.

The nails are left in the liquids until a change is observed. Solution levels in each beaker are kept constant. Which is the dependent variable in this investigation?

the nails

the types of water

the amount of rust

the different containers

the amount of rust is the dependent variable in this investigation.

The dependent variable in this investigation is the amount of rust.