Question

A class is learning about acceleration due to gravity. Their plan is to climb a ladder and drop different kinds of balls from the same height at the same time. They will repeat this for ten trials, recording the data after each test. A video will be made of the activity to verify the results. What is the independent variable in this experiment?

A. the size and type of the balls
B. the speed at which the balls fall
C. the number of balls that are dropped
D. the height from which the balls are dropped

Answer 1

Yes I agree with the above answer, D

Answer 2

The correct option is D.

An independent variable refers to a research variable that is changed or controlled in an experiment while the dependent variable is the one that is been tested or measured, it is the one that the researcher has interest in.

In the scenario given in this question, the height from which the balls are dropped was controlled, thus, it is the independent variable. The time that it takes the different types of balls used in the experiment to reach the ground level is the dependent variable, because that is the variable the research is interested in and it is the one that is been measured.