It can be difficult for students to understand the science of photosynthesis especially the young ones if there will be no hands on activity that will let them see what they are studying. But there are some lab experiments that are teaching the basics of photosynthesis which can be done for students in elementary school. You should know that the experiments are made to provide the elements of photosynthesis because they will show the sunlight deprivation effects on plants instead of showing how sunlight is turned into food by the plants.
It is important to know what sunlight deprivation is.
After you showing the basics of photosynthesis and how plants can produce sugar from sunlight, you will know the effects of sunlight deprivation. The students can pot two plants in small paper cups which can be bean sprouts or other affordable plants that are fast growing. Each child will place one plant on a sunny windowsill and the other plant inside a closet without windows. Each of the plant will be given equal soil and will be watered over the course of one week. The plant that is sun-deprived will show how plants are harmed without photosynthesis.
Lab experiments using chlorophyll.
The experiment on chlorophyll is important to the study of photosynthesis because it plays an important role in helping the plants get the power from the sun. This basic lab experiment will make use of simple materials like glass jars, acetone, scissors, and coffee filters. The students will cut up two or three big leaves. The students will then mix the leaf in acetone and allow it to sit for one day. The students will take strips from the coffee filter and dip one end of the strip into the acetone. A strip of green will be seen which is the chlorophyll as the plant chemicals will be released by the acetone moving up to the coffee filter.
It is important for you to know what chemical reactions of photosynthesis are.
Once the students will learn the basics of photosynthesis, the educators will give them a simple experiment that will show them first hand the number of photosynthesis chemical reactions. The students can make use of small plants that they can get from aquarium stores and place plant samples in test tubes filled with water which they will cork. After the course of 30 minutes, the walls of the test tube will be seen with tiny air bubbles. The tiny air bubbles are evidence on how the plants are converting water or hydrogen and carbon dioxide into food or carbohydrates. This simple lab experiment will show the students one of the chemical reactions of photosynthesis. There are so many other websites on the internet that can provide you with more details when it comes to these photosynthesis lab experiments, check them out now.