
What is the function of sodium bicarbonate in photosynthesis?
The light source provides light energy, the solution provides water, and sodium bicarbonate provides dissolved CO2. Plant material will generally float in water. This is because leaves have air in the spaces between cells, which helps them collect CO2 gas from their environment to use in photosynthesis.
What is the hypothesis of photosynthesis?
Photosynthesis lab. Hypothesis: The leaf disks placed in the water solution with sodium bicarbonate will float to the top faster and in a higher quantity because the sodium bicarbonate will serve as a source of carbon dioxide for photosynthesis.
What happens when NaHCO3 dissolves in water?
When we dissolve baking soda (NaHCO3) in water, carbonic acid (H2CO3) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) are formed. The carbonic acid then breaks down into water and carbon dioxide gas, which is why dissolving baking soda in water causes it to fizz. NaHCO3+ H2O --> H2CO3+ NaOH H2CO3--> H2O + CO2(gas) Materials: Fresh spinach leaves
What is the role of oxygen in photosynthesis?
In photosynthesis, plants use energy from the sun, water, and carbon dioxide (CO 2) from the air to store carbon and energy in the form of glucose molecules. Oxygen gas (O 2) is a byproduct of this reaction. Oxygen production by photosynthetic organisms explains why earth has an oxygen-rich atmosphere.

Why do we use sodium bicarbonate in photosynthesis experiment?
The purpose of making this solution is that the bicarbonate serves as a source of carbon dioxide, which the leaf disks require, along with water and light energy, to undergo photosynthesis.
Why is sodium hydrogen carbonate used in photosynthesis experiment instead of water?
Why is sodium hydrogen carbonate solution used instead of water? Sodium hydrogencarbonate increases carbon dioxide availability, and ensures that carbon dioxide is not a limiting factor for the the reaction. Plain water water may not contain enough oxygen so that the maximum rate of photosynthesis can occur.
How does NaHCO3 affect photosynthesis?
The more sodium bicarbonate present, there is a greater amount of carbon dioxide present, which in result will increase the speed of photosynthesis.
What is the function of sodium hydrogen carbonate solution?
Sodium hydrogen carbonate is used in medicine (frequently as an antacid), as a leavening agent in baking (it is “baking soda”), and in the manufacture of sodium carbonate, Na2CO3. “Baking powder” is a mixture composed mainly of NaHCO3.
Why is pondweed placed in sodium hydrogen carbonate?
This process of making sugar and oxygen is called photosynthesis. Pond weed uses the carbon dioxide which is dissolved in the water it is in. The amount of dissolved carbon dioxide can be varied by adding sodium hydrogen carbonate (carbon dioxide solution) to the water.
What is sodium hydroxide used for in photosynthesis?
Scientists can use sodium hydroxide to absorb carbon dioxide from the air so that it is unavailable for the plants to use in photosynthesis. In this particular experiment, a de-starched plant is covered using an airtight transparent plastic bag.
Does sodium hydrogen carbonate release CO2?
sodium bicarbonate (sodium hydrogen carbonate, NaHCO 3, popularly known as bicarbonate of soda) White, crystalline salt that decomposes in acid or on heating to release carbon dioxide gas. It has a slightly alkaline reaction and is an ingredient of indigestion medicines.
How does the concentration of sodium bicarbonate affect the rate of photosynthesis?
The rate of photosynthesis steadily increased as the concentration of carbon dioxide present (sodium bicarbonate solution concentration) increased (directly proportional relationship).
How to change the temperature of a photosynthesis solution?
You can change the temperature of the solution by placing the beaker in an ice bath or a larger container of hot water. You can increase or decrease the concentration of sodium bicarbonate in the solution, or eliminate it entirely. You can try to identify the range of wavelengths of light used in photosynthesis by wrapping and covering the beaker with colored gel filters that remove certain wavelengths.
Why do leaves sink in photosynthesis?
This is because leaves have air in the spaces between cells, which helps them collect CO 2 gas from their environment to use in photosynthesis. When you apply a gentle vacuum to the leaf disks in solution, this air is forced out and replaced with solution, causing the leaves to sink.
What is the process of photosynthesis?
Photosynthetic organisms capture energy from the sun and matter from the air to make the food we eat, while also producing the oxygen we breathe. In this Snack, oxygen produced during photosynthesis makes leaf bits float like bubbles in water.
How to make 0.1% bicarbonate solution?
Make a 0.1% bicarbonate solution by mixing 0.5 grams baking soda with 2 cups (500 mL) water. Add a few drops of liquid dish soap to this solution and mix gently, trying to avoid making suds in the solution.
How do plants use energy?
To use the energy stored by photosynthesis, plants (like all other organisms with mitochondria) use the process of respiration, which is basically the reverse of photosynthesis. In respiration, glucose is broken down to produce energy that can be used by the cell, a reaction that uses O 2 and produces CO 2 as a byproduct. Because the leaf disks are living plant material that still require energy, they are simultaneously using O 2 gas during respiration and producing O 2 gas during photosynthesis. Therefore, the bubbles of O 2 that you see represent the net products of photosynthesis, minus the O 2 used by respiration.
