Question

When a scientist sets up an experiment, only one thing can vary. Everything else must stay the same. For example, if an entomologist (a scientist who studies insects) wants to know which insect can jump the highest, she would make sure there is only one difference when studying the insects. With a partner, brainstorm what should be the same and what is the one thing that should be different. Record your ideas: Six things that should be the same when determining which insect can jump the highest: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Answer 1

In the experiment to determine which insect can jump the highest, environmental conditions, time of day, jumping surface, insect age and size, measurement methods, and pre-test rest or activity should be kept constant. The independent variable is the type of insect, and the jump height is the dependent variable.

Step-by-step explanation:

When designing an experiment to determine which insect can jump the highest, the following six things should remain the same to ensure reliability and validity of results:

1. The environmental conditions, such as temperature and humidity, where the insects are tested.
2. Time of day when the jumps are measured, as insects may have different activity levels throughout the day.
3. The surface from which the insects are jumping should be consistent to avoid variations in jump height due to the surface.
4. Age and size of the insects should be controlled to ensure that differences in jump height are not due to developmental stages.
5. The method of measurement, using the same accurate tools and methods when measuring jump heights.
6. The amount of rest or activity before the test to make sure fatigue does not affect jump performance.

The independent variable in this experiment would be the type of insect, as this is what you are changing to see its effect on the jump height, which is the dependent variable.