Temperature Change in Different Materials

Question

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).



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.

Answer 1

The best explanation among the options provided is:

A. The objects are made of different types of materials, and the type of material is an independent variable.

This option correctly identifies that the different materials have varying thermal properties (such as specific heat capacity, thermal conductivity, and density) that affect how quickly they can heat up to 100°C. The type of material is indeed an independent variable because it is being changed purposely to observe how it affects the heating time of the objects.