A team of volcanologists conducted an investigation to measure how varying the silica (\te… — ACT

A team of volcanologists conducted an investigation to measure how varying the silica ( $\text{SiO}_2$ ) mass percentage in synthetic basaltic lava affects its flow viscosity. Each lava sample was melted in a specialized induction furnace maintained at a constant temperature of $1,200^\circ\text{C}$ under standard atmospheric pressure ( $1\text{ atm}$ ). Match each experimental factor on the left with its corresponding variable role on the right.

Silica ( $\text{SiO}_2$ ) mass percentage in the lava sampleIndependent variable
Dynamic viscosity of the synthetic lava flow ( $\text{Pa}\cdot\text{s}$ )Dependent variable
Induction furnace temperature ( $1,200^\circ\text{C}$ )Controlled variable

Answer

Silica mass percentage matches Independent variable; Dynamic viscosity matches Dependent variable; Induction furnace temperature matches Controlled variable.

The silica concentration is the independent variable because it is manipulated directly by the experimenters across different trials. The dynamic viscosity is the dependent variable because it is the outcome measured in response to changing silica levels. The furnace temperature is a controlled variable because it is kept constant at

1,200^\circ\text{C}

to ensure that temperature differences do not confound the viscosity measurement.

Step-by-Step Solution

Determine the condition intentionally altered by the experimenters across trials.

Silica (

\text{SiO}_2

) mass percentage was systematically varied between synthetic lava samples.

The variable manipulated directly by the researcher to observe its effect is the independent variable.

Identify the factor observed and measured to evaluate the effect of the alteration.

Dynamic viscosity of the lava flow was measured as the output parameter.

The observed response or measured data produced during the experiment is the dependent variable.

Identify environmental parameters kept identical across all test runs.

The induction furnace temperature was kept strictly at

1,200^\circ\text{C}

for all samples.

Variables kept constant to isolate the impact of the independent variable are controlled variables.

Key Concept

Distinguishing independent, dependent, and controlled variables in scientific experimental design

Question

Answer

Step-by-Step Solution

Key Concept

Common Mistakes

Topics

More questions from this topic