A group of students is investigating whether copper is a better thermal conductor than aluminum. The students take a copper wire and an aluminum wire of the same length and diameter. They put equal lengths of wax on one end of each wire and dip the other ends into a beaker of hot water. The length of wax left on the wires after 10 minutes is shown. Experimental Observations Copper Aluminum Original length of wax 2 cm 2 cm Length of wax after 10 minutes 0.7 cm 1.2 cm What was the independent variable in this experiment?

In the mentioned experiment, three kinds of variables are used, that is, the independent variable, the dependent variable, and the controlled variable. Of these the independent variables are the one that does not get modify, however, can be modified by the scientist, while the dependent variables are the one that modifies when the independent variables modify, and the controlled variables are the ones that are maintained same throughout.

In the given experiment, the length of the wire, the type of the wire utilized, and the thermal conductivity of the wire are the independent variables.