Scientific experiments are specially designed to test explanations for an observed phenomenon. A student decides to conduct an experiment to determine the effect that the amount of time spent in the sunlight has on the overall growth of a plant. The student will conduct the experiment using two identical plants that will only spend different amounts of time in the sunlight. All other aspects needed for growth will remain identical for each. In the experiment described, what would the amount of water given to each plant be considered?
The student changes only the amount of time each plant spends in sunlight, so sunlight exposure is the independent variable. Plant growth is what is measured, making it the dependent variable. The amount of water is kept the same for both plants, so it is a control or constant.
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