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What are Variables?
Scientists design experiments to test how the changes to something will cause something else in the experiment to vary. For example a scientist might test how a plant's growth is effected by sunlight. The scientist in this experiment might have one plant in direct sunlight for most of the day, and observe another plant that gets no sunlight. These changes are called variables. A variable is anything that can change in an experiment and can be measured. In science, there are three types of variables: independent, dependent, and controlled.
Why are Variables Important?
Variables are an important part of all experiments. This is because it is important that an experiment is a fair test of a hypothesis. To do this only one variable at a time can be changed. It is important to understand what variables in an experiment are because they can help tell you if the design of the experiment will fairly test the hypothesis. Knowing what variables are will also help you design your own experiment. Lastly, understanding the differences between independent, dependent, and controlled variables is key to making sure your experiment is successful.
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