is there a relationship between the relative age of stars in the number/identity of element is found within them

Yes. Stars use fusion to create nuclear energy, which is what makes them "alive". The older they are, the "bigger" the element in them is. Hydrogen turns into Helium, and when hydrogen is used up, the helium starts fusing into bigger elements. it stops at iron however. Once stars start fusing silicon to iron, it is doomed because it takes more energy than it gives off.

the dependant variable is spilled water

the independent is the heat