Testing the Photosythetic Needs of Plants By: Jenna Cossey

Summary Can plants survive better in natural sunlight or in artificial light? Can plants survive better in natural sunlight or in artificial light? Test two groups of plants: one grown in artificial light, one grown in natural sunlight. Test two groups of plants: one grown in artificial light, one grown in natural sunlight. To accomplish this I will grow one group of plants indoors with no access to natural sunlight, and grow one group of plants in a window sill. To accomplish this I will grow one group of plants indoors with no access to natural sunlight, and grow one group of plants in a window sill. I expect that the group of plants with access to natural sunlight will grow better. I expect that the group of plants with access to natural sunlight will grow better.

Photosynthetic Process A simple diagram: Carbon Dioxide + water + photons => glucose + oxygen Carbon Dioxide + water + photons => glucose + oxygen

Literature Citings  Lighting Indoor House Plants by: Ray R. Rothenberger by: Ray R. Rothenberger - types of light plants use - types of light plants use  Does Night Lighting Harm Trees? by: by: William R. Chaney - What color of light rays do plants do plants use?

Light Sources Sunlight Sunlight Incandescent Light Incandescent Light

WHICH SOURCE? In order to determine which source of light best facilitates photosynthesis, we will experiment with two test groups, one grown in each source of light ( artificial, natural) and record the growing patterns of each.

Hypothesis Hypothesis: Plants exposed to more natural light will grow more efficiently. Hypothesis: Plants exposed to more natural light will grow more efficiently. Null: Plants exposed to more artificial light will grow more efficiently. Null: Plants exposed to more artificial light will grow more efficiently.

Experimental Design Step 1: State the Problem. Which source of light best facilitates photosynthesis? Step 2: Research the Problem. Test a group of plants in artificial light and test another group of plants in natural light. Plants need light to grow, but what kind? Step 3: Form a Hypothesis. Plants exposed to more natural light will grow more efficiently. Step 4: Test the Hypothesis. To test this hypothesis I will test the growth of plants in both natural and artificial lighting conditions. And record their growth rates. Step 5: Draw Conclusions from the data. The growth rate data will either prove or disprove my hypothesis.

How will I know? In order to determine which source of light the plants use best I will use both quantitative and qualitative analysis. In order to determine which source of light the plants use best I will use both quantitative and qualitative analysis. I will measure the height of the plants at different intervals of growth. I will measure the height of the plants at different intervals of growth. I will count the number of plants growing at different intervals, as well as the number of leaves/flowers on each plant. I will count the number of plants growing at different intervals, as well as the number of leaves/flowers on each plant.

What do I expect? I expect that the plants with access to the natural sunlight will grow best. I expect that the plants with access to the natural sunlight will grow best. I expect that the plants in artificial light will grow, but not as abundantly. I expect that the plants in artificial light will grow, but not as abundantly. I will know in the future whether or not I need to allow my house plants to access natural light or not. I will know in the future whether or not I need to allow my house plants to access natural light or not.

Week 1 Place the plants in their areas to grow and record starting data. Week 2 Observe and record any changes in the plants Week 3 Count and measure plants and record the data. Week 4 Observe and record any changes in the plants. Week 5 Observe and record any changes in the plants. Week 6 Count and measure the plants and record the data. Week 7 Observe and record any changes in the plants. Week 8 Observe and record any changes in the plants. Week 9 Final measurement and counting of plants.

BUDGET Proposed expendatures: $30.00 for plants $10.00 incedentals TOTAL$40.00