Question

a student conducts an experiment to determine the effect of adding salt on the boiling temperature of water. the results are shown in the table.
sample\tamount of salt\tboiling temperature
sample 1\t0 g\t100.0°c
sample 2\t2 g\t102.3°c
sample 3\t5 g\t104.8°c
sample 4\t10 g\t107.5°c
which is the independent variable in this experiment?
a) amount of salt added
b) volume of water
c) time required for water to boil
d) boiling temperature

Explanation:

In an experiment, the independent variable is the one that is manipulated or changed by the experimenter to observe its effect on another variable. Here, the student is changing the amount of salt added (varying it as 0g, 2g, 5g, 10g) to see how it affects the boiling temperature of water. The boiling temperature (dependent variable) depends on the amount of salt (independent variable). The volume of water (not shown as varying) and time to boil (not measured here) are not the independent variable, and boiling temperature is the dependent variable. So the independent variable is the amount of salt added.

Answer:

A) amount of salt added