Investigating the Effects of Baking Soda on Rocket Launch Height

What are the independent and dependent variables in Billy and Bob's experiment?

Billy and Bob want to know if the amount of baking soda added to vinegar will affect the height a rocket will launch.

Final answer:

The independent variable in Billy and Bob's experiment is the amount of baking soda added to vinegar, and the dependent variable is the height the rocket will launch as a response to the change in the independent variable.

In Billy and Bob's experiment to determine if the amount of baking soda added to vinegar affects the height a rocket will launch, the independent variable is the amount of baking soda, because it is the variable they will intentionally change. The dependent variable is the height that the rocket launches, as this is the outcome that is being measured in response to the changes in the amount of baking soda.

When you pour vinegar into baking soda, a chemical reaction occurs that releases carbon dioxide gas in the form of fizz and bubbles. This reaction is the driving force behind the rocket's launch. The independent variable, in this case the quantity of baking soda, is expected to affect the rate and volume of gas produced, which in turn will affect the dependent variable: the launch height of the rocket.