Photosynthesis Interactive Simulation

Plants make their own food by photosynthesis: six carbon-dioxide molecules and six water molecules use light energy to make one glucose molecule and release six oxygen molecules. The reaction runs only as fast as its scarcest input — its limiting factor. Students can change light and water and compare what happens. Use it for biology inquiry with Grades 3–5 and Middle School on a projector or student device.

Standards: NGSS MS-LS1-6, 5-LS1-1

• How light, water, and CO₂ together drive the reaction
• Why adding more of one factor does nothing if another is scarce
• Which ingredient is limiting the rate right now
• That oxygen is released as a product students can see bubbling up

1. 1Predict how changing light will affect the rate, then test the prediction.
2. 2Use evidence from the interactive visual to explain the result.

Questions teachers ask