`` Experiment (Updated) ``

Okay, so we executed the experiment on 13th Aug, Friday. It is somehow succesful, but we made some changes to the experiment. So, here is the NEWEST updated version !! :

Aim: To find out if the amount of water affects the rate of photosynthesis.

Hypothesis: The photosynthesis rate increases as the amount of water provided increases.

Approach: Have 3 setups of hydrilla plants in each of the 3 beakers. Sunlight is kept constant for all setups. One beaker will be filled to the brim with water, One half-filled with water and one 1/4 filled with water. At the end of the experiment, we'll use the date logger to calculate the rate of photosynthesis by obtaining the amount of oxygen produced (O2)

Apparatus:

• 1 light lamp
• 3 small beakers
• 1 data logger
• 1 spectular spoon
• scotch tape
• paper

Materials:

• 3 hydrilla plants
• sodium hydrogencarbonate
• tap water

Variables:

(Constant) Water temperature, intensity of light, type of plant, amount of sodium hydrogen carbonate.

(Changing) Amount of water.

Methods/Procedures:

1. Fill all 3 beakers with tap water and label them. ( 1/4 filled, one half-filled, 1 filled to the brim )
2. Place 1 hydrilla plant into each beaker and ensure that all plants are fully submerged in the water
3. Use a spectular spoon to put 2 spoons of sodium hydrogencarbonate into beaker 1 (1/4 filled).
4. Wait for 10 minutes for the sodium hydrogencarbonate to dissolve in order for the plant to have carbon dioxide to carry out photosynthesis.
5. Put scotch tape to mark down the position of the beaker placed.
6. Place the oxygen testing sensor into the beaker with 1/4 filled with water.
7. Put the beaker under the light lamp, within equal distance and wait for 5 minutes.
8. Record the amount of oxygen produced (O2).
9. Repeat steps 3 - 8 for the other 2 beakers.

Diagram: (not included in the blog)

Results:

Amount of oxygen produced (O2)
Beaker 1 8.3
Beaker 2 8.29
Beaker 3 8.27

Our Point Of View:
The amount of sodium hydrogencarbonate is constant throughout the whole experiment but the water level is not constant. Therefore, there is a higher sodium hydrogencarbonate in lesser water and as we all know carbon dioxide allows plant to photosynthesis better, thus the amount of oxygen produced (O2) will be higher when the water level is lesser.
The amount of sodium hydogencarbonate will affect the amount of oxygen produced (O2) as carbon dioxide can change the pH of water. This works when carbon dioxide dissolves slightly in water to form a weak acid called carbonic acid, H2CO3, according to the following reaction: CO2 + H2O --> H2CO3 . The most important thing to note is carbon dioxide is only water-soluble.

Discussion:
The hypothesis is supported. We encountered problems when the amount of sodium hydrogencarbonate placed in the beakers was not sufficient therefore resulting in the inaccurate recordings of oxygen produced (O2). We also did not fully submerge the hydrilla plant in the water thus the leftover parts of the plant did not carry out the process of photosynthesis. Last mistake that we made was that 10 minutes wasn’t sufficient for the sodium hydrogencarbonate to dissolve for the plant to have carbon dioxide to photosynthesis, so the results will also be inaccurate. The experiment could be improved if we had keep notice to time and arranged the setup correctly as well.

Conclusion:
The amount of water does affects the rate of photosynthesis.


We welcome comments on our experiment and how to improve on it as well !!~
So, please comment, comment & comment !!~ ;P

By --Existence-- 2E1 :D