Bubbling Plants Experiment to Quantify Photosynthesis - Activity

Materials List: Bubbling Plants Experiment to Quantify Photosynthesis

5 liters (about 1¼ gallons) of aged tap water (tap water in an open container that has been allowed to sit for 36-48 hours to eliminate the chlorine used in municipal water supplies)
15-20 total Elodea plants; these are hardy freshwater aquarium plants sold in bunches at pet stores and suppliers such as Carolina Biological Supply Company (www.carolina.com)
string, yarn or twist ties for tying Elodea plants into bunches
small rocks or similar objects to serve as weights to hold the Elodea plants underwater
500-ml beakers, 1 per team
baking soda, a few tablespoons (sodium bicarbonate)
timers or watches with second hands, 1 per team
small adjustable desk lamps that can be set up so that their light bulbs are a few inches above the beakers and shine vertically down onto them; flashlights with strong beams that are mounted on ring stands also work; 1 light source per team