What Are Control Experiments?

An experiment to verify the results of another experiment using the same conditions except for one factor or variable

An experiment separated from the main experiment where the independent variable being tested cannot influence the results.

Simply remove the independent variable entirely or replace it with a neutral independent variable.

Notes SPI 0807.Inq.1 (Variables and Controls)

Science

Also called control groups

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Notes SPI 0807.Inq.1 (Variables and Controls)

Science

Control Experiment(Fruity Pebbles Example)

This is your main experiment. Next do a control experiment

(see next slide)

Does eating a sugary cereal make children hyperactive?Every day for a week have 3 children eat a bowl of Fruity Pebbles.

Then observe their energy level for the next two hours.

Ind Variable-the Cereal Dep Variable-their behavior

Notes SPI 0807.Inq.1 (Variables and Controls)

Science

Control Experiment(Fruity Pebbles Example)

Option 01: Repeat the experiment exactly except this time don't give the children any cereal at all.

Option 02: Repeat the experiment exactly but give them a bowl of cereal that does not contain any sugar.

Does eating a sugary cereal make children hyperactive?Every day for a week have 3 children eat a bowl of Fruity Pebbles.

Then observe their energy level for the next two hours.

Ind Variable-the Cereal Dep Variable-their behavior

Do a control experiment by simply removing the independent variable entirely or replace it with a neutral independent variable.

Example: A scientist is conducting an experiment to test how sunlight affects plant growth.

She places one corn plant 1 meter away from a sunlamp. She places one corn plant 2 meters away from a sunlamp. She places one corn plant 3 meters away from a sunlamp.

Corn plant 01 Corn plant 02 Corn plant 03

Do a control experiment by simply removing the independent variable entirely or remove its effect

The independent variable is the distance from the sunlamp

control experiment-place one other corn plant in a dark room

Notes SPI 0807.Inq.1 (Variables and Controls)

Science

Control Experiment(Energy Drink Example)

This is your main experiment. Next do a control experiment

(see next slide)

If you consume an energy drink before running will it enable you to run faster?

On 3 different days at the track, consume one can of energy drink.(Day 1: Monster, Day 2: Red Bull, Day 3: Rock Star)

Then run 30 meters as fast as you can. Record the time it takes you to run that distance.

Ind Variable-type of energy drinks Dep Variable-how fast you run

Notes SPI 0807.Inq.1 (Variables and Controls)

Science

Control Experiment(Energy Drink Example)

If you consume an energy drink before running will it enable you to run faster?

On 3 different days at the track, consume one can of energy drink.(Day 1: Monster, Day 2: Red Bull, Day 3: Rock Star)

Then run 30 meters as fast as you can. Record the time it takes you to run that distance.

Ind Variable-type of energy drinks Dep Variable-how fast you run

Do a control experiment by simply removing the independent variable entirely or remove its effect

control experiment-run one more time without an energy drink or have a

glass of water instead.