DRY MIX
A little bit about manipulated and responding variables...First, note that a "variable" is anything that can change in an experiment. Some variables change during the experiment, most do not.
The variable that you intentionally change (on purpose!) is the "manipulated variable" (remember, you are manipulating it). The variable that responds to that change is called the "responding variable". If it helps, the "responding variable" is almost always going to be the variable that we collect data for in an experiment.
For example, lets say that we are going to do an experiment to test the relationship between the mass of the pendulum and the amount of time it takes to swing back and forth ten times. To do this, we might decide to add more washers to the end of the pendulum. We will do three trials each for one washer, two washers and three washers and record the time the pendulum takes to swing back and forth ten times. What would the manipulated and responding variables be?
Well, the manipulated variable (MV) would be the number of washers on the pendulum because this is the variable that we are changing deliberately. The responding variable (RV) would then be the time it takes to swing back and forth ten times.
A "controlled variable" is any variable that does not change during an experiment. Remember, only the MV and the RV can change if the experiment is to be a fair test.
Finally, try and use DRY MIX to help you remember the variables and graphing.
Dependent
Responding
Y-axis
Manipulated
Independent
X-axis
See you in class...
Mr. D
posted by The Professor @ 4:00 PM
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