photosynthesis rq practical

Cards (17)

  • What is the first step in the practical investigation of photosynthesis?

    • Take a boiling tube
    • Place it 10 centimeters away from an LED light source
  • Why is an LED light source preferred in this experiment?

    Because it doesn't release much heat, which could change the temperature of the experiment
  • What should you do if using a normal light bulb instead of an LED?

    Place a beaker of water between the light and the boiling tube
  • What solution is filled in the boiling tube for the experiment?
    Sodium hydrogen carbonate solution
  • What does sodium hydrogen carbonate solution release that is needed for photosynthesis?

    Carbon dioxide
  • What should be placed in the boiling tube with the cut end at the top?

    A piece of pond weed
  • How long should the pond weed be left to acclimatize in the boiling tube?

    Five minutes
  • What gas is produced by the pond weed during photosynthesis?

    Oxygen
  • What should you do after starting the stopwatch in the experiment?

    Count the number of bubbles produced in one minute
  • How many times should the experiment be repeated to calculate the mean number of bubbles produced?

    Two more times
  • What distances should the experiment be repeated at after the initial 10 centimeters?

    20 centimeters, 30 centimeters, and 40 centimeters
  • What are the two main problems with counting bubbles in this practical?

    • Bubbles can be too fast to count accurately
    • Bubbles are not always the same size
  • How can the problems with counting bubbles be solved?
    By measuring the volume of oxygen produced instead of counting bubbles
  • What equipment is used to measure the volume of oxygen produced?

    A measuring cylinder filled with water
  • What happens to the number of bubbles per minute when the distance from the light source is doubled?

    The number of bubbles falls by a factor of four
  • What is the scientific term for the relationship between distance and light intensity in this experiment?

    The inverse square law
  • Why does the number of oxygen bubbles fall when the distance is increased?

    Because light intensity falls as the distance increases