- **Aim**: To show that carbon dioxide is necessary for photosynthesis to occur.
- **Materials**:
- Two potted plants
- Plastic bags
- Rubber bands
- Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda)
- Light source
- Water
- **Procedure**:
1. Place one potted plant in a plastic bag and seal it with a rubber band.
2. Add a small amount of sodium bicarbonate to the bag to increase the carbon dioxide levels inside.
3. Place the second potted plant in a separate plastic bag without adding any sodium bicarbonate.
4. Place both plants in an area with a light source.
5. Observe the plants for a few hours.
- **Observations**:
- The plant in the bag with added sodium bicarbonate will continue to produce oxygen bubbles through photosynthesis.
- The plant in the bag without added sodium bicarbonate will not produce oxygen bubbles.
- **Explanation**:
- The plant in the bag with added sodium bicarbonate was able to carry out photosynthesis because it had an adequate supply of carbon dioxide. This gas is essential for the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis to occur, where carbon dioxide is converted into glucose and oxygen with the help of light energy.
- **Conclusion**:
- This experiment demonstrates that carbon dioxide is necessary for photosynthesis to take place, as the plant without an adequate supply of carbon dioxide was unable to carry out the process effectively.