Saturday 5 May 2012

Observing the colours of a leaf

Did you know?
We can recognise plants because of their green colour, which comes from a pigment called chlorophyll. Plants use chlorophyll to capture light energy from the sun in order to produce their own food through a process called photosynthesis.
But, when there is not enough light or water for photosynthesis (fall and winter) plants stop making food. Then, the green chlorophyll disappears and we begin to see yellow and orange colours!
Would you like to observe it? Yes? Then follow the steps:
1- Collect 2 or 3 large leaves. Cut them into small pieces and put them into a mortar with sand.
2- Break it up and add enough alcohol to cover the leaves, then stir.
3- Put a filter paper in a funnel and filter the liquid into a test tube.
4- Put the liquid in a petri dish and introduce a filter paper.
5- After 30' /90' the colours will travel different distances up the paper.
6- You should be able to see different shades of green, yellow, orange or red!!!

We did it and it was really exciting. Here you are some pictures.



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