Michelle set up a science investigation to explore temperature change in objects made of different materials. She heated the four objects listed in the table below to the same temperature (100°C). Michelle recorded which material heated to 100°C first, second, third, and fourth (last).
The table shows object, material, mass, and order in which samples heated. Object 1 is Iron with a mass of 1 kilogram and is the 1st to heat to 100 degrees Celsius. Object 2 is Wood with a mass of 1 kilogram and is the 2nd to heat to 100 degrees Celsius. Object 3 is Glass with a mass of 1 kilogram and is the 3rd to heat to 100 degrees Celsius. Object 4 is Aluminum with a mass of 1 kilogram and is the 4th to heat to 100 degrees Celsius.
Multiple Choice Question
Which statement BEST explains why the objects in Michelle's investigation took different amounts of time to heat to the same temperature and identifies whether this factor is a dependent or independent variable?
A.
The objects are made of different types of materials, and the type of material is an independent variable.
B.
The objects are different shapes, and the shape of the material is an independent variable.
C.
The objects exist in different states of matter, and the state of matter is a dependent variable.
D.
The objects contain different amounts of materials, and the amount of material is a dependent variable.
1 answer
The correct answer is:
A. The objects are made of different types of materials, and the type of material is an independent variable.
This choice correctly identifies that the different heating rates are due to the varying thermal properties of the materials themselves, which are independent variables in this investigation. The temperature reached (100°C) is the dependent variable, but the question specifically asks for the best explanation, which is satisfied by option A.
