Rate of photosynthesis, measured through the counting of bubbles for one minute
Controlled
Carbon Dioxide concentration, this will be controlled by placing 10 grams of baking soda (\(NaHCO3\)) into the water at every trial.
The volume of \(H_2O\), this will be controlled by using 150mL of distilled water for every trial.
Room temperature will be controlled by placing the container holding the plant (beaker) into a water bath and set to 25 Celcius. An optimum temperature needs to be ensured so that enzymes will be working at its optimum rate of catalysis.
Size of the plant will be controlled by cutting 5 cm * 5 cm pieces as the surface area of a plant will affect the rate of absorbing the reactants.
Duration of submersion will be controlled through a timer. The plant will be submerged for five minutes.
Hypothesis
Null: The increase in light intensity would have no effect on the rate of photosynthesis.
Alternative: The increase in light intensity would increase the rate of photosynthesis until it reaches the optimum level, where further increase in light intensity will have no effect on the photosynthesis rate.
Apparatus