The correct answer is C. The temperature of the water
Step-by-step explanation:
In an experiment such as the one described about the speed of snails in water, the manipulated variable is the factor or element that is manipulated on purpose. This means the researcher or researchers slightly change this element to compare how this affects another variable. In this context, the manipulated variable is the temperature of the water because researchers used three different temperatures (cool, room-temperature, and warm), and therefore they manipulated or changed this factor. Moreover, it is expected temperature affects the distance nails move, which is the main variable.