Investigating Photosynthesis: Oxygen Production

Experiment
This experiment will explore the production of oxygen gas (O₂) during photosynthesis, the
process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy.

Materials:

 Elodea or another aquatic plant

 Beakers (2-3)
 Lamp with adjustable distance
 Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) solution (1g baking soda in 1L water)
 Dropper
 Clear plastic wrap
 Timer
 Data table (record time and number of bubbles)

Procedure:

1. Prepare the Beakers: Fill two beakers with sodium bicarbonate solution. Label one
beaker as "Light" and the other as "Dark" (control).
2. Add the Plant: Carefully place a sprig of Elodea in each beaker, ensuring it's fully
submerged.
3. Light Exposure: Place the "Light" beaker under the lamp. You can adjust the distance
between the lamp and the beaker to control light intensity (further = lower intensity).
Cover the "Dark" beaker with plastic wrap to block light.
4. Monitor Oxygen Production: Observe both beakers for a designated period (e.g., 5
minutes). Every minute, use the dropper to gently nudge the Elodea stem and count the
bubbles rising from the plant. Record the time and the number of bubbles observed in
your data table for both beakers.

Analysis:

 Compare the number of bubbles produced in the "Light" and "Dark" beakers.
 What does the difference in bubble production suggest about the relationship between
light and photosynthesis?
 How might changing the light intensity (distance to lamp) affect the results?

Safety:

 Be mindful of broken glass while handling beakers.

 Adult supervision is recommended for younger students.

Further Exploration:
 Repeat the experiment with different colored light filters to see if light color affects
photosynthesis.
 Test the effect of temperature on the rate of photosynthesis by placing one beaker in a
warm water bath.