Final answer:
In the experiment to see how adding sugar to plant water affects plant growth, the dependent variable is plant growth. The independent variable is the amount of sugar added, and it is essential to control other factors to isolate its effect on the plant's growth.
Step-by-step explanation:
In an experiment where a scientist adds sugar to plant water to observe the effect on the plant's growth, the dependent variable is plant growth. This is because plant growth is the outcome that is being measured and observed in response to the manipulation of another variable. The independent variable would be the amount of sugar added to the water since this is the factor that the scientist deliberately changes to see if it has an effect on the dependent variable. When conducting such an experiment, it is essential to control other factors that may influence plant growth, such as the amount of water, type of soil, amount of sunlight, and temperature, to ensure that the changes in the dependent variable are due to the manipulation of the independent variable alone.
Important Factors in Plant Growth Experiments
- The amount of water provided
- Type and amount of plant food
- Soil quality and quantity
- Amount and quality of sunlight received
Controlling these factors allows the experiment to isolate the effect of the independent variable on the dependent variable.