Beetroot Experiment

Investigating what affects the rate of photosynthesis.

Introduction: Photosynthesis is the process where sunlight is trapped and converted into ATP and NADPH; it's used as an energy resource for the plant.

General photosynthetic equation - 6H2O + 6H2O + 6CO2 ------> C2H12O6 + 6O2 + 6H2O

The rate of photosynthesis is affected by many factors, these factors include; Sunlight – its intensity and wavelength, Temperature and the Carbon Dioxide level. In this experiment I will investigate one of these factors.

Research question: Does the wavelength of light affect the rate of photosynthesis?

Hypothesis: I believe that the wavelength does affect the rate of photosynthesis. Also I believe that the colors red and blue have the highest rate, while green will have the lowest.

Independent Variable: Wavelength.

Dependent Variable: Rate of photosynthesis.

Control Variables: Co₂ level, Temperature, Light intensity, time, and plant species.

Co₂ level – Having a 5% water solution (consists of 5 grams of sodium hydrogen carbonate and 995 ml of water).

Temperature – Using a temperature probe measuring the temperature with an interval of 20 seconds, to see if the temperature is constant.

Light intensity – Having the test-tube at a constant distance from the light.

Time – There is some time needed for the reaction to take place, this time needs to be the same for each trial.

Plant used – The species must be the same. Also it would be best if water plants are used since the leaves will be submerged in water.

Apparatus: ruler, clamp, colored