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Year 7 - Science

Variables

Solutions

Unit Summary

This unit explores the concepts of pure substances, mixtures, and diffusion in liquids and gases. It emphasises accuracy, precision, and the use of appropriate techniques during investigations. The focus is on making predictions and recording reliable observations.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to identify independent, dependent, and control variables and describe the differences between them.

Key Notes

  • Aspects of an investigation that can be changed and measured are known as variables
  • The independent variable is what is changed in an investigation
  • The dependent variable is what is observed / measured in an investigation
  • Variables that are kept the same each time are called control variables
  • In a fair test, only the variable being tested is changed so that it is clear that it made a difference to the results

Vocabulary To Learn

  • variable: A variable is anything that can change or be changed in an investigation.
  • independent variable: The independent variable is the variable that is changed during an investigation.
  • dependent variable: The dependent variable is the variable that is measured or observed during an investigation; it changes as a result of varying the independent variable.
  • control variable: A control variable is a variable that is kept the same or constant to ensure a fair test.
  • fair test: When only one variable is changed to affect the dependent variable; all other variables are controlled

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Pupils tend to confuse independent and dependent variables.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain the scientific idea in this lesson using two key points.

Aspects of an investigation that can be changed and measured are known as variables. The independent variable is what is changed in an investigation.

2. Define this scientific word and use it in context. 'variable'

A variable is anything that can change or be changed in an investigation. Include the word in a full scientific explanation, not as a single label.

3. Correct this common scientific misunderstanding.

Mistake: Pupils tend to confuse independent and dependent variables. Correction: Think of an experiment as "cause and effect." The independent variable is what you change – the cause. The dependent variable is what you measure – the effect of that change.

More Lessons In This Unit

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