If we change the pH level of the plants, then the photosynthesis rate will be effected.

Research Predictions We predict that the pH level of the distilled water won't alter the rate of photosynthesis as much as the acid and base water will affect the plants' (lima beans and black beans) photosynthesis.....This was our original prediction. Due to technical difficulties, we were unable to change our predictions before we did our experiment. We didn't use distilled water and we didn't have the other pH liquids that we listed, but we did have altered pH level waters 1-6. Nov. 18, 2010.

First, we planted our beans so they can sprout in the next week. Step 1; Punch hole (size of the end of a straw) into each leaf from the plant. Keep them separate and labeled. Step 2; Take the disks (one disk per dish) and submerge them into separate petri-dishes uncovered, filled with our 6 different pH level liquids. Take notes (they should all float because they are filled with oxygen). Step 3; using the same pH level liquids, put the plant disk into a syringe (removing the oxygen outside of the plant) and slowly pull back the lever with your finger covering the exposed tip. Step 4; after the plant disk has sunk to the bottom of the syringe, put it back into its original petri-dish…KEEPING IT COVERED!! Step 5; time the rate at which the plant floats to the top on the dish; starting the timer as soon as you expose the plant to the sun.

Our hypothesis, (if you change the pH level, it will effect the rate of photosynthesis) was supported. We had a hard time getting our pH levels, because the bases and acids were very dilute, so we started using a more concentrated substance.... and it was extremely hard to get it correct ( because of this, we ran out of time, and could only conclude 3 out of the 6 pH level experiments) However, we did see how the lower level of pH ( level 3) immediately sunk to the bottom (like it was supposed to) and as soon as we uncovered it, it rose within that second to the top of the pH level liquid. The 5 pH level disks took 11 seconds to produce enough oxygen through photosynthesis to float. The 6 pH level disks took 15 seconds to produce enough oxygen through photosynthesis to float to the top of it's pH level liquid.