| Explore | We know now that plants need some form of carbon dioxide in order to perform photosynthesis. |
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| Research Question | Our research question is, "Does a plant's distance from a light source affect how quickly it performs photosynthesis?". We picked this question because it can be tested in the real world. For example, if one has to grow plants indoors and use an artificial light source, like a lamp, they would need to know how close the plant should be to the lamp in order for the plant to grow quicker. |
| Predictions | We predict that the cup closer to the lamp will allow the spinach to perform photosynthesis quicker. We think this will happen because the plant will be able to absorb and filter more light through the chloroplasts in order to produce more energy and chlorophyll if it is closer to the light source. |
| Experimental Design | For our experiment, we will have 2 cups that each contain 2 inches of water, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, and 10 spinach discs. We will put 1 cup under a light that is directly above the cup, and the other will be put under a light that is 5-6 inches above it. We will then monitor how many spinach discs have risen to the top of the water in a span of 10 minutes for each cup in order to see which cup will allow the most spinach to perform photosynthesis quicker. |
| Conclusion | Our conclusion is that the plant that is closer to a light source will perform photosynthesis quicker. In our experiment, the cup closer to our light had more spinach floating to the top of the water in both trials, while the cup further from the light never had more than 3 spinach discs floating to the top. This can be used in the real world because, for example, if someone is growing plants indoors and they put their plants closer to a lamp or other artificial light source, the plant will absorb more light through the chloroplasts and in the process, produce more energy and chlorophyll. |
| Investigation Theme | POS |
| Grade Level | High School Students (Grades 9,10,11,12) |
| Teacher Name | Aubrey Mikos |
| School Name | Ottawa Township High School |
| Session | Spring 2021 |