The two variables of interest in this lab are: "percent change in mass" of bag and "sucrose molarity" in the bag solution. On a graph of these two variables, which would be the independent variable, and which would be the dependent variable?
An independent variable is the potential stimulus or cause, usually directly manipulated by the experimenter, so it could also be called a manipulative variable.
A dependent variable is the response or measure of results.
To determine which variable is the independent variable and which one is the dependent variable in this lab, we need to understand their roles and how they are manipulated in the experiment.
The independent variable is the one that is intentionally changed or manipulated by the researcher. It is usually plotted on the x-axis of a graph. The dependent variable, on the other hand, is the variable that is affected by and responds to the changes in the independent variable. It is typically plotted on the y-axis of a graph.
In this lab, the "percent change in mass" of the bag and the "sucrose molarity" in the bag solution are the variables of interest. To determine the independent and dependent variables, we need to consider how these variables are controlled and measured.
If the sucrose molarity in the bag solution is intentionally varied and the percentage change in mass of the bag is measured as a response to the different sucrose molarities, then the sucrose molarity would be the independent variable (x-axis) because it is being manipulated. The percentage change in mass of the bag would be the dependent variable (y-axis) because it is being influenced by the changes in sucrose molarity.
However, if the percentage change in mass of the bag is intentionally varied by adding different amounts of sucrose solutions, and the sucrose molarity is measured and recorded as a response to the different mass changes, then the percentage change in mass of the bag would be the independent variable (x-axis) and the sucrose molarity would be the dependent variable (y-axis).
To definitively determine which variable is the independent and dependent variable in this lab, you should refer to the lab protocol or consult with your instructor or lab manual, as the roles of the variables may vary depending on the design and objectives of the experiment.