In an experiment, the variable that is the cause and is intentionally changed is called the?

Study for the PLTW Medical Detectives Exam. Prepare with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Get ready for your test and excel!

Multiple Choice

In an experiment, the variable that is the cause and is intentionally changed is called the?

Explanation:
In experiments, the factor you deliberately change to see its effect is the independent variable. It acts as the cause or input in the setup, and by adjusting it you can observe how the outcome changes. That’s why it’s the best answer: you’re deliberately manipulating this variable to test its influence. The thing you measure in response is the dependent variable, which tells you how the results respond to the changes you made. A term like valid isn’t describing a type of variable used in experiments, and temperature is just one example of a variable, not the general label for the thing you intentionally alter.

In experiments, the factor you deliberately change to see its effect is the independent variable. It acts as the cause or input in the setup, and by adjusting it you can observe how the outcome changes. That’s why it’s the best answer: you’re deliberately manipulating this variable to test its influence.

The thing you measure in response is the dependent variable, which tells you how the results respond to the changes you made. A term like valid isn’t describing a type of variable used in experiments, and temperature is just one example of a variable, not the general label for the thing you intentionally alter.

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