You make a terrarium for your school’s science fair by putting some soil into a glass container and adding small plants. You moisten the soil with water and add a slug. You cover the terrarium with clear plastic that has vent holes. Then, you place the terrarium in a sunlit window.
Explain how the soil, plants, slug, sunlight, and plastic affect the air inside your terrarium.
wondering exactly what this has to do with a scientific hypothesis? Do you have a hypothesis? Look that word up.
The soil, plants, slug, sunlight, and plastic cover all play a role in affecting the air inside your terrarium.
1. Soil: The soil in the terrarium helps to create a microenvironment that supports the growth of plants. It acts as a medium for the plants to anchor their roots and provides essential nutrients and minerals. Soil also has the ability to retain water, which helps to maintain the moisture level in the terrarium.
2. Plants: The plants in the terrarium perform photosynthesis, a process by which they convert sunlight into energy. During photosynthesis, plants take in carbon dioxide from the air and release oxygen. This process helps to regulate the oxygen and carbon dioxide levels inside the terrarium. Additionally, plants also release moisture through a process called transpiration, contributing to the humidity of the air.
3. Slug: The slug in the terrarium plays a role in the breakdown of organic matter. Slugs are decomposers that consume dead leaves, plant matter, and other organic materials. As they feed on these materials, they release carbon dioxide through respiration, which affects the air composition inside the terrarium.
4. Sunlight: Placing the terrarium in a sunlit window provides the plants with the necessary light for photosynthesis. Sunlight also warms up the terrarium, leading to an increase in temperature. This rise in temperature can affect the rate of chemical reactions, including photosynthesis and respiration, which in turn impact the balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
5. Plastic cover: The clear plastic cover over the terrarium serves as a barrier that prevents the exchange of air between the inside and outside environment. The vent holes are essential for allowing some air circulation. The plastic cover traps the moisture and heat inside, creating a more humid and warmer environment. It also helps to retain the oxygen produced by the plants and maintains a balance of gases within the terrarium.
In summary, the soil and plants contribute to the oxygen-carbon dioxide balance through photosynthesis and respiration. The slug aids in the breakdown of organic matter, releasing carbon dioxide. Sunlight provides energy for photosynthesis and affects the temperature inside the terrarium. Finally, the plastic cover helps maintain humidity and restricts air exchange, creating a unique microclimate inside the terrarium.