In an experiment usually, there are dependent and independent variables. While the independent variable is the one, that is changed by the direct manipulation of the researcher, the dependent variable is changing its value due to the change in the independent.
For example one might conduct research on how much does human nervousness (or energy) (variable 1, dependent variable) is changed by the amount of sugar (variable 2, independent variable) in an espresso shot.
In this experiment, the independent variable is the amount of sugar in the shot, as it is being manipulated directly by the researchers, and it is (presumably) what will change the other (and dependent) variable (the behavior).