Final answer:
The independent variable is the variable manipulated or controlled by the experimenter in a scientific study, while the dependent variable is the variable that is measured to see the effect of the independent variable.
Step-by-step explanation:
The independent variable is the variable that is manipulated or controlled by the experimenter in a scientific study. It is the 'driver' variable that creates change. On the other hand, the dependent variable is the variable that is measured to see the effect of the independent variable. It is the 'receiving' variable that is changed.
For example, let's say you conducted an experiment to test how different amounts of fertilizer affect plant growth. In this experiment, the amount of fertilizer would be the independent variable because it is what you are manipulating to see how it affects plant growth.
The plant growth (height, number of leaves, etc.) would be the dependent variable because it is what you are measuring to see how it is affected by the different amounts of fertilizer.