In a plant growth experiment where light levels are varied, what is the independent variable?

In a plant growth experiment where light levels are varied, what is the independent variable?

• A. Growth of the plant
• B. Light level
• C. Type of plant
• D. Amount of water

Answer: (B)

Think about what you deliberately change to see its effect. The independent variable is the factor you change on purpose to observe how it affects the outcome. In this plant growth setup, you vary how much light the plant receives, so light level is the independent variable. Plant growth is what you measure to see the result, making it the dependent variable. The type of plant and the amount of water are kept the same across trials to isolate the effect of light, so they act as constants.

Think about what you deliberately change to see its effect. The independent variable is the factor you change on purpose to observe how it affects the outcome. In this plant growth setup, you vary how much light the plant receives, so light level is the independent variable. Plant growth is what you measure to see the result, making it the dependent variable. The type of plant and the amount of water are kept the same across trials to isolate the effect of light, so they act as constants.