When we look at a leaf, we see the colors of light that are reflected off its surface. How does this explain the relatively low flow of oxygen in green light?
The color green in leaves is due to the pigment called chlorophyll, which plays a crucial role in photosynthesis. Chlorophyll absorbs red and blue light efficiently but reflects green light, giving leaves their green color. As a result, when light hits a leaf, most of the green light is reflected back to our eyes.
In terms of oxygen production, the rate of photosynthesis in plants is highest when chlorophyll absorbs red and blue light, rather than green light. This is because chlorophyll molecules are more sensitive to red and blue wavelengths, allowing them to capture and convert light energy into chemical energy more effectively. The absorbed light energy is utilized to split water molecules, release oxygen, and synthesize carbohydrates.
Since green light is mostly reflected rather than absorbed by chlorophyll, it has a relatively lower energy absorption rate compared to red and blue light. Consequently, the flow of oxygen produced during photosynthesis is relatively low when green light is the predominant source of light.