Light intensity

Investigating light intensity

Light provides the energy needed for photosynthesis. Increasing the light intensity increases the rate of photosynthesis, provided
plenty of carbon dioxide and water are available. The maximum rate is determined by the other factors involved.

Graph showing rate of photosynthesis and light intensity

The role of light in photosynthesis can be investigated in several ways. In this experiment, a light is moved further from a
photosynthesising plant to vary the light intensity the plant receives. The further the light moves from the plant, the fewer
oxygen bubbles are produced by photosynthesis.

A light source
positioned at a distance from a photosynthesising plant
The intensity of light at different distances from a light source can be described by the inverse square law. This states that the
intensity of light is inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the source.
In practical terms, this means that when the light is moved twice as far from the plant it will receive a quarter of the energy.
Calculating light intensity
Light intensity can be calculated using this formula.

The symbol ∝ means ‘is proportional to’, and distance is measured in metres.
Therefore, when the light is 20 cm from the plant, it will receive

= 25 arbitrary units
But when the light is 40 cm from the plant, it will only receive

= 6.25 arbitrary units

The SI unit for light intensity is lux. However, different light sources provide different initial values of lux, so the term ‘arbitrary
units’ has been used in this example.