Grade 6 Science Fun 2020

Name: ___________________________ Grade:6 Subject: Science

In this assignment let us explore the experiment part of the scientific method.

Task 1 – Understanding different types of variables

Often an experiment involves things that can change, known as variables.

Variables need to be identified, so they can then either be changed or controlled.

There are three kinds of variable:

 dependent
 independent
 control
independent variable – variable that is changed in the experiment

control variable – variables that can be kept constant to make it a fair test

dependent variable – variable that changes according to the change in the independent variable

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPBz9PDIsMA (use this link for further help. Variables topic starts at 3m.13 sec)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0A55QRyJHPM ( use this link for further help)

Example 1:

Experiment : Investigating whether increasing the temperature of the reactants might alter the rate of the
reaction.

In this experiment – the temperature which is changing, that would be the independent variable.

The changing temperature alters the rate of reaction, therefore the reaction rate is the dependent variable.

When carrying out the experiment, care has to be taken that other variables that affect the rate of reaction, such as
amount of reactants, are kept constant to make it a fair test. These are control variables.
 Task 2: Experiment to show that seeds need water for germination

In this experiment, I set up two identical pots. Both contain ten bean seeds planted in the same type of soil, and
both are placed in the same window. In fact, there is only one thing that I do differently to the two pots:

 One pot of seeds gets watered every afternoon.

 The other pot of seeds doesn't get any water at all.
After a week, nine out of ten seeds in the watered pot have sprouted, while none of the seeds in the dry pot have
sprouted.

The diagram explains the experiment

Answer the following:

In the above experiment

i. In the above experiment controlled variables are ( variables that are kept constant to make it a fair test )

10 bean seeds per pot

Seeds are grown in the same type of soil

and both are placed in the same window

ii. In the above experiment independent variable is (variable that is changed to test your hypothesis)

Amount of water given to both the pots. One with water and the other without water

iii. In the above experiment dependent variable is (variable that is dependent on the independent variable)

Fraction of seeds that sprout

Task 3 : Choose the correct option

1. A scientist wants to test the effects of a chemical on apple growth. He sprays an orchard with the chemical. A
second orchard does not get sprayed with the chemical. In the fall, the number of apples from each orchard is
counted. Which of the following is the independent variable in the experiment?
a. the chemical
b. the number of apples
c. the first orchard
d. the second orchard
2. What is the one variable that is purposely changed to test a hypothesis called?
a. constant variable
b. independent variable
c. responding variable
d. operational variable
3. A student planted the same kind of seeds in pots A and B. She planted five seeds in pot A and five seeds in pot
B. The amount and type of soil in both pots was the same. She added the same amount of water to both pots
each week. Pot A was placed in a sunny window. Pot B was placed in a dark room. After four weeks, she
observed the plants in both pots. The plants in pot A were green, with tall, thick stems. The plants in pot B were
yellow, with tall, thins stems. Which statement best explains why the plants in pot A were different from the
plants in pot B?
a. Pot A contained more soil than pot B.
b. Pot A contained more seeds than pot B.
c. Pot A received more sunlight than pot B.
d. Pot A received more water than pot B.

4. The part of an investigation that is being measured is the variable.

a. dependent
b. independent
c. controlled
d. uncontrolled

5. When you test something you are performing a(n) .

a. observation
b. knowledge
c. experiment
d. evidence

6. If Sam was completing an experiment to determine if fertilizer makes a plant grow better than not using
fertilizer, which of the following would be the best method?
a. Place one plant in the sun and the other in a closet.
b. Water one plant every day and the other plant every other day.
c. Keep both plants on top of a cabinet.
d. Use a tomato plant and a bean plant.

7. All the things in an experiment that must be the same to make it fair are called
a. controlled experiments.
b. controlled variables.
c. dependent variables.
d. independent variables.
Task 4: Performing an Experiment
Read the following statements and then answer the questions.
1. A scientist wants to find out why sea water freezes at a lower temperature than fresh
water.
2. The scientist goes to the library and reads a number of articles about the physical
properties of solutions.
3. The scientist also reads about the composition of sea water.
4. The scientist travels to a nearby beach and observes the conditions there. The scientist
notes the taste of the sea water and other factors such as waves, wind, air pressure,
temperature, and humidity.
5. After considering all this information, the scientist sits at a desk and writes, “If sea water
has salt in it, it will freeze at a lower temperature than fresh water.”
6. The scientist goes back to the laboratory and does the following:
a. Fills each of two beakers with 1 liter of fresh water.
b. Dissolves 35 grams of table salt in one of the beakers.
c. Places both beakers in a freezer at a temperature of —1°C.
d. Leaves the beakers in the freezer for 24 hours.
7. After 24 hours, the scientist examines both beakers and finds the fresh water to be
frozen. The salt water is still liquid.
8. The scientist writes in a notebook, “It appears that salt water freezes at a lower
temperature than fresh water does.”
9. The scientist continues, “I suggest that the reason sea water freezes at a lower temperature is
that sea water contains dissolved salts, while fresh water does not.”

Questions (Questions A – F write the correct sentence(s) number in the space given)

A. Which statement(s) contain conclusions? 8, 9

B. Which statement(s) contains a hypothesis? 5

C. Which statement(s) contain observations? 4,7

D. Which statement(s) describe an experiment? 6 a-d

E. In which statement is the problem described? 1

F. Which statement(s) contain data? 4, 6 a-d, 7

G. Which is the independent variable in the experiment? The amount of salt in water

H. What is the dependent variable in the experiment? The temperature at which water freezes