experimentalvariable

An experimental variable is a factor that can be changed or controlled in a scientific experiment. The purpose of an experiment is typically to observe how changes in one or more variables affect an outcome. There are three main types of variables: independent, dependent, and control.

The independent variable is the one that the experimenter manipulates or changes. It is hypothesized to have a direct effect on the dependent variable. For example, in a study testing the effect of a new fertilizer on plant growth, the amount of fertilizer given to the plants would be the independent variable.

The dependent variable is the one that is measured or observed in response to changes in the independent variable. It is what the experimenter is interested in finding out about. In the plant growth example, the height of the plants would be the dependent variable.

Control variables are factors that are kept constant throughout the experiment to ensure that they do not influence the outcome. If control variables are not managed, they could confound the results, making it difficult to determine if the observed changes are due to the independent variable or something else. In the plant growth experiment, control variables might include the amount of water, sunlight, and the type of soil used for all plants. By keeping these factors the same, the experimenter can be more confident that any differences in plant height are directly attributable to the fertilizer.