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Question

Difficulty: EasyIdentifying Independent, Dependent, and Controlled Variables

A physics student conducts an investigation to determine how the angle of tilt of a solar panel relative to the ground affects its electrical power output. The student tests the same solar panel at tilt angles of 0∘0^\circ, 15∘15^\circ, 30∘30^\circ, 45∘45^\circ, and 60∘60^\circ under direct sunlight at 12:00 PM on a clear day, recording the power output in watts for each trial. What is the independent variable in this investigation?

  1. The angle of tilt of the solar panelAnswer
  2. B
    The electrical power output measured in watts
  3. C
    The specific solar panel model used for testing
  4. D
    The time of day when measurements are recorded

Answer

The independent variable is the angle of tilt of the solar panel.
The independent variable is the condition that the experimenter systematically manipulates to observe its effect. In this setup, the student directly varies the angle of tilt of the solar panel across five distinct settings (0∘0^\circ through 60∘60^\circ).

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the factor intentionally altered by the experimenter across trials.
The student selects different tilt angles (0∘0^\circ, 15∘15^\circ, 30∘30^\circ, 45∘45^\circ, and 60∘60^\circ) for each trial.
The independent variable is the cause or condition directly manipulated in an experiment.
2
Distinguish the independent variable from the dependent variable and controlled variables.
The electrical power output is the dependent variable (measured outcome), while the solar panel model and testing time are controlled variables (kept constant).
Clear separation of variable types ensures correct identification.

Key Concept

Identifying Independent Variables
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Topics

Identifying Independent, Dependent, and Controlled Variables

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