Title: Free Essay: The effect of light intensity on the rate of photosynthesis
Headings: The effect of light intensity on the rate of photosynthesis
The effect of light intensity on the rate of photosynthesis
Topics In This Paper

Content: Photosynthesis can be defined as the production of simple sugars from carbon dioxide and water causing the release of sugar and oxygen. The chemical equation for photosynthesis can be expressed as: ( light) 6CO2 + 6H2O ( C6H12O6 + 6O2 (in the presence of chlorophyll)
The fact that all plants need light in order to photosynthesise has been proven many times in experiments, and so it is possible to say that without light, the plant would die. The reason that light intensity does affect the rate of photosynthesis is because as light, and therefore energy, falls on the chloroplasts in a leaf, it is trapped by the chlorophyll, which then makes the energy available for chemical reactions in the plant. Thus, as the amount of sunlight, or in this case light from a bulb, falls on the plant, more energy is absorbed, so more energy is available for the chemical reactions, and so more photosynthesis takes place in a given time. There are many factors, which affect the rate of photosynthesis, including light intensity, temperature and carbon dioxide concentration." Taken from www. Essaybank.co.uk/free_coursework/1649.html
There fore I only plan to change the sunlight intensity because I feel that this would be the best variable for me to change to find out how light intensity affects the rate of photosynthesis. Method
I will set up my experiment using the following equipment: 1) test tube filled with water and 0.50 of sodium bicarbonate
2) a plant that lives in a water ecosystem
3) syringe connected to a clear tube and then to the test tube (with the plant inside)
4) Two rulers 1 meter ruler to measure distance of light from plant and the other 30 cm ruler to measure the amount of oxygen given off from photosynthesis.