Photosynthesis Light Intensity Experiment

Grade 7s are investigating light intensity through a photosynthesis experiment.

Students poured hydrogen carbonate indictor into three vials, plugged in a lamp and placed a meter stick on a table perpendicular to the lamp. Using algae beads, Grade 7s observed the colour of the vial solution before and after the light exposure.

This experiment illustrated how light intensity affects the rate of photosynthesis by looking at the concentration of carbon dioxide in a vial filled with bicarbonate indicator. They discovered that in complete darkness, algae beads start to undergo cellular respiration instead!