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Year 7

Variables

I can identify an independent, dependent and control variable and describe the difference between each.

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Year 7

Variables

I can identify an independent, dependent and control variable and describe the difference between each.

Download all resources
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Share activities with pupils
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Lesson details

Key learning points

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

Keywords

  • Variable - anything that can change in an investigation.

  • Independent variable - single variable that is changed in an investigation.

  • Dependent variable - single variable that is measured or observed in an investigation.

  • Control variable - variables that are kept constant / the same to ensure a fair test.

  • Fair test - variables are controlled so that only one change affects the dependent variable.

Common misconception

Pupils tend to confuse independent and dependent variables.

**I**ndependent is *changed* ('**I**' change); dependent *relies* (i.e. depends) on the independent variable and is measured/observed.


To help you plan your year 7 science lesson on: Variables, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Creating a circus activity of similar equipment set-ups with brief, but different, associated methods to read through will really challenge pupils to correctly identify the independent, dependent and control variables for each.
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Content guidance

  • Risk assessment required - equipment
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Supervision

Adult supervision required

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This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What does 'to measure' mean in a science experiment?
To guess what will happen.
To observe what happens.
Correct answer: To record a quantity or value.
Q2.
True or False: Changing many things you're testing at once during your experiment makes a good experiment.
True
Correct answer: False
Q3.
Which of the following are things you can use to observe what happens in an experiment?
Correct answer: Your eyes.
Correct answer: Your ears.
Your watch.
Your calculator.
Q4.
Match each action with its correct experimental term.
Correct Answer:Guessing,Predicting
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Predicting

Correct Answer:Watching,Observing
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Observing

Correct Answer:Keeping the same,Controlling
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Controlling

Q5.
When we talk about a 'fair test' in science, what do we mean?
The test is easy.
The test is done without cheating.
Correct answer: The test is done under the same conditions each time.
Q6.
When conducting an experiment, the step that involves making an educated guess about the outcome is called a .
Correct Answer: hypothesis

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which definition best fits a 'control variable'?
The outcome that is measured
The factor that is altered.
Correct answer: The condition that is kept unchanged.
Q2.
What type of variable responds to the changes made?
Correct Answer: dependent, dependant
Q3.
Link the term to its role in an experiment.
Correct Answer:Dependent Variable,Is measured
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Is measured

Correct Answer:Independent Variable,Influences the outcome
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Influences the outcome

Correct Answer:Control Variable,Stays constant
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Stays constant

Q4.
True or False: A dependent variable can be deliberately changed by the experimenter.
True
Correct answer: False
Q5.
If the investigation is fair, changing the variable should be the only variable that is allowed to change.
Correct Answer: independent, independant
Q6.
Arrange these statements to describe setting up a fair test, starting with identifying any variables that may affect the experiment's outcome.
1 - Identify variables that could affect the outcome.
2 - Choose one independent variable to change.
3 - Keep all other variables the same throughout (these are the control variables).
4 - Observe and measure the changes to the dependent variable.
5 - Record the results of the dependent variable.