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Lesson 12 of 16

What a leaf gives out

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6 min

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A water plant sits in a jar, near a bright lamp. Tiny bubbles rise. What are they?

A water plant sits in a clear jar of water.
Step 1 of 4
  1. A water plant sits in a clear jar of water.
  2. A lamp shines close by. Many bubbles rise from the leaves.
  3. Move the lamp farther away. Fewer bubbles rise.
  4. The bubbles have oxygen in them.

The idea

The bubbles have oxygen in them, a gas the leaves make.

Glucose is a simple sugar. It gives the plant quick energy.

A lamp can be used instead of the Sun. A closer lamp gives more light. More light gives more bubbles, because the leaf makes more oxygen.

The rule

A leaf in sunlight gives out oxygen. It also makes glucose, a sugar for quick energy. Extra glucose is stored as starch.

Lamps and water are risky together. Ask a teacher to set it up.

A lamp warms the water. A teacher keeps the jar cool.

Watch out!

Beyond a certain brightness, a brighter lamp adds no more bubbles.

Now try it. Guess first. Then move the lamp closer. Count the bubbles.

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