Question

In chemistry class, Allen determined the effectiveness of various metals in releasing hydrogen gas from hydrochloric acid. Several weeks later, Allen read that a utilities company was burying lead next to iron pipes to prevent rusting. Allen hypothesized that less rusting would occur with the more active metals. He placed the following into 4 separate beakers of water: (a) 1 iron nail, (b) 1 iron nail wrapped with an aluminum strip, (c) 1 iron nail wrapped with a magnesium strip, and (d) 1 iron nail wrapped with a lead strip. He used the same amount of water, equal amounts (mass) of the metals, and the same type of iron nails. At the end of 5 days, he rated the amount of rusting as small, moderate, or large. He also recorded the color of the water. What is the independent variable?
a) the amount of water
b) the metals strips
c) amount of rust
d) hydrochloric acid

Answer 1

Answer:

b) the metals strips

Explanation:

In an experimental design, an independent variable is a variable that is changed or manipulated in a series of experiments. An independent variable is not dependent on any other variable in the experiment. The hypothesis for this experiment is stated to be: "If the chemical activity of the metallic wrapper is increased, then less rusting of iron will occur. The independent variable relates to the type of metal wrapping strip, and the dependent variables are the amount of rusting and color of the water.