What is a dependent variable in an experiment?

A dependent variable in an experiment is the measurable effect or outcome that is observed and recorded in response to changes made to the independent variable, which is the factor that is manipulated. It is the variable that researchers are interested in studying to see how it is affected by alterations in the independent variable. For instance, if you are investigating how different amounts of sunlight affect plant growth, the growth of the plants would be the dependent variable, as it depends on the amount of sunlight received. This concept is crucial for understanding how different factors interact within scientific experiments and helps establish cause-and-effect relationships.