6.

6 Investigating the effects of light intensity on the rate of photosynthesis Problem statement: How does the light intensity affect the rate of photosynthesis? Hypothesis: The higher the light intensity, the higher the rate of photosynthesis. Variables: Manipulated distance of plants from the light source Responding number of bubbles release Constant - type of plant//temperature//carbon dioxide concentration Materials and apparatus: A sprig of Hydrilla sp., a light source, a beaker, a test tube, a retort stand with clamp, a thermometer, a stopwatch, plasticine and a metre ruler. Procedure:

Meter ruler

Diagram 1

(P1)

1. Set up the apparatus as shown in Diagram 1. (P1) 2. Maintain the temperature of the water in the beaker at 28 oC. Sodium hydrogen carbonate solution is used to supply carbon dioxide to the plant. (P2) 3. Place the beaker containing Hydrilla sp. at distance 50 cm from the light source. (P1, P4) 4. Start the stopwatch when the plant begins to release bubbles at a constant rate. Count and record the number of bubbles released by plant in one minute.(P3) 5. Replace the sodium hydrogen carbonate solution with fresh solution.(P5) 6. Repeat step 3 to 5 with the apparatus placed at different distances of 40 cm, 30 cm, 20 cm and 10 cm from the light source to obtain different light intensities.(P4) 7. Record the result in a table.(P3)

Imelda anak Nyaun/S.M.K. Serian

Results: Distance from light source (cm) Number of gas bubbles released in one minute

10

20

30

40

50

Imelda anak Nyaun/S.M.K. Serian