The independent variable is known to be the variable that can be changed when an experiment is being done. This is needed in order to test the dependent variable. The dependent variable is the variable that is important in the experiment because it is the one that is being tested. For example, the scientist would like to test how hot the temperature should be before a solid object melts.
The temperature will be considered as the independent variable because this will be controlled by the scientist. The solid object will be the dependent variable because this is the object that is being measured. Remember that the two variables will showcase cause and effect.