Omar wants to determine if the mass of a model rocket affects how long the rocket is able to stay up in the air. To do this, he constructs three identical rockets and then fills two of the rockets with varying amounts of sand to add mass. He then launches the rockets one at a time and times how long they are able to stay airborne.

What is the independent variable in Omar's experiment?
A:the materials out of which the rockets were made
B:the force with which each rocket is launched C:the masses of the model rockets
D:the time the rockets remain airborne

Question

Omar wants to determine if the mass of a model rocket affects how long the rocket is able to stay up in the air. To do this, he constructs three identical rockets and then fills two of the rockets with varying amounts of sand to add mass. He then launches the rockets one at a time and times how long they are able to stay airborne. 

What is the independent variable in Omar's experiment?
A:the materials out of which the rockets were made
B:the force with which each rocket is launched  C:the masses of the model rockets
D:the time the rockets remain airborne

anonymous · Answer

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paxpolaris · Answer

The independant variable is the variable you have control over.

paxpolaris · Answer

Since ,  the thing controlled is the mass using amounts of sand. $\text{C: the masses of the model rockets}$ is your $independent\ variable$. 

The dependent variable is the one you are measuring the independent variable's effect on. In this case time the rocket stays airborne.