The Scientific Method

I have used the scientific method in my case study to prove my hypothesis, if a plant is grown in light it will grow faster than a plant grown in the dark. To conduct my experiment, you will need lima beans, potting soil, and styrofoam cups. First, put three inches of potting soil into each styrofoam cup. Then plant the lima bean seed about one inch below the surface of the soil. Next add three tablespoons of water to each cup. Put one cup in a window seal or where there will be bright light. Place the other cup in a closet or in a box sealed off from light. Keep a daily diary on how each plant is growing. Each day should be recorded by height, number of leaves, and by the color of the leaves each day. This experiment will probably involve a week to ten days of plant growth. Seeds generally require two to three days to germinate (when they break through the soil) and another week to grow tall enough to have leaves so that the effects of light become evident. Once germinated, the plants in the dark will grow faster than the plants in the light. However, they will be spindly and will have fewer leaves. If the experiment were stopped before the plants in the dark condition die, the experiment will be left with the alternative conception that light is not necessary for plants to live and grow. Even though the plants in the dark grew faster before they started dying they did not look healthy. They did not have a very green color and they had very few leaves. Sunlight is necessary for the health of green plants. It is needed by green plants in order to make green chlorophyll and to make additional food. Without this additional food production, the green plant’s food sac soon becomes used up and the green plant dies because it lacks the materials and the energy that the food provides for growth and

maintenance. Light is not necessary for seeds during the germination phase of growth. It is necessary following germination for health and continued growth.

References: Axia College of University of Phoenix. (2008) Retrieved July 24, 2008, from Axia College, Appendix B reading, aXcess, SCI 230- Introduction to Life Science Denise Balkissoon, Washing and Storing Your Fruits and Vegetables Dennis W. Sunal, Sunlight and Plants, The University of Alabama Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientific_method