Scientific Method - Controls And Variables Worksheet Template printable pdf download

Scientific Method - Controls And Variables Worksheet Template

Scientific Method - Controls and Variables

Name __________________________

Write a definition for each:

Control -

Variable -

Independent Variable -

Dependent Variable -

SpongeBob and his Bikini Bottom pals have been busy doing a little research. Read the description

for each experiment and answer the questions.

Krusty Krabs Breath Mints

Mr. Krabs created a secret ingredient for a breath mint that he thinks will “cure” the bad breath people get

from eating crabby patties at the Krusty Krab. He asked 100 customers with a history of bad breath to try his

new breath mint. He had fifty customers (Group A) eat a breath mint after they finished eating a crabby patty.

The other fifty (Group B) also received a breath mint after they finished the sandwich, however, it was just a

regular breath mint and did not have the secret ingredient. Both groups were told that they were getting the

breath mint that would cure their bad breath. Two hours after eating the crabby patties, thirty customers in

Group A and ten customers in Group B reported having better breath than they normally had after eating crabby

patties.

1. Which people are in the control group?

2. What is the independent variable?

3. What is the dependent variable?

4. What should Mr. Krabs’ conclusion be?

5. Why do you think 10 people in group B reported fresher breath?

SpongeBob Clean Pants

SpongeBob noticed that his favorite pants were not as clean as they used to be. His friend Sandy told him that

he should try using Clean-O detergent, a new laundry soap she found at Sail-Mart. SpongeBob made sure to

wash one pair of pants in plain water and another pair in water with the Clean-O detergent. After washing both

pairs of pants a total of three times, the pants washed in the Clean-O detergent did not appear to be any cleaner

than the pants washed in plain water.

6. What was the problem SpongeBob wanted to investigate?

7. What is the independent variable?

8. What is the dependent variable?

9. What should Sponge Bob’s conclusion be?

T. Trimpe 2003

Scientific Method - Controls And Variables Worksheet Template