Rate of Photosynthesis vs.

Light Intensity
Purpose:
Studying how the rate of photosynthesis can be affected helps us fully understand the equation written
in the introduction section. Your goal is to know the reactants and products of photosynthesis, but also how the
rate may change depending on conditions.

Materials:
- Handful of spinach leafs (1 per table) - Darkness container (1 per group)
- Single hole punch (1 per group) - Ring stands
- Plastic syringes (4 per group) - Ring stand clamps
- Bicarbonate solution - Flashlights
o 0.2% (1 for each table, 6 total) - Red, blue, and green film
o 0.4%, 0.6%, and plain soap water - Lamps
solution (x2)

Methods & Data

Station A – How does the distance to white light affect the rate of photosynthesis?

1. Prepare your syringes as directed in Part 1.

2. Connect your flashlight to the ring stand using the clamp. You want your light to be perpendicular to the
ring stand.
3. Four distances from the flashlight have been predetermined for you. Record the distances in the Station
A table.
4. Take all 4 beakers and set one in front of each flashlight. Set the syringe barrel perpendicular to the lab
table. Every now and then you may need to swirl the syringe gently so all leaf discs have access to the
light.
5. At 5-minute intervals, record how many of the leaf discs are floating. Do this until all leaf discs are
floating.
6. Paste your data table and graph into your CER form. Click here for a graphing website.

Station A Data Collection

# Leaf Discs # Leaf Discs # Leaf Discs # Leaf Discs

Time Interval Floating (Distance Floating (Distance Floating (Distance Floating (Distance
__0_ cm) __10__ cm) _20_cm) _30__ cm)

0min 0 0 0 0

5min 1 0 0 0

10 min 4 0 0 0

15 min 6 2 1 0

20 min 5