What is the term for a variable that is kept constant during a controlled experiment?

A control variable is a factor in an experiment that remains constant to ensure that the results are due solely to the effects of the independent variable. By keeping certain variables unchanged, researchers eliminate any potential influences that these factors could have on the dependent variable. This is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the experiment and ensuring that the conclusions drawn are valid.

For instance, if you're testing how different amounts of sunlight affect plant growth, light, water, and soil type would be control variables that need to remain constant throughout the experiment. This allows for accurate measurement of the impact of sunlight (the independent variable) on the growth of the plants (the dependent variable). Maintaining control variables helps to isolate the relationship between the independent and dependent variables, making the findings more reliable and valid.