Transpiration in plants?

Question

How can i make an experiment to study the rate of transpiration in plants? I'm only provided with basic laboratory equipment
and the plan of the experiment should involve: a problem that can be tested by an investigation, a suitable hypothesis.
thank you very much. I'm very very confused on this topic. if you can help me, I will really appriciate.

Answer 1

This link will explain the two basic types of potometers and how to set them up using your basis lab equipment. It will show you how to use them to measure transpiration and how to set up some basic experiments to study the rate of transpiration. Good Luck with your experiments.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potometer

Answer 2

You can do this very easily with the most basic equipment.

Hypothesis: Wind makes water evaporate faster, so wind increases the rate of transpiration.

Problem: Does a plant lose more water to transpiration when the plant is exposed to moving air?

Equipment: plastic tubing such as aquarium tubing, ruler, water, support, petroleum jelly, stem or branch with leaves

1. Fill a section of tubing with water, eliminating all air bubbles (70 cm or so will do nicely).
2. Fasten the tubing in a U-shape to some kind of vertical support. Make both ends of the tubing at the same height. You can tape the tubing to a wall, a post, an upright meterstick, ...
3. Cut a small, leafy twig or stem from a tree, bush, or other plant. Choose a twig or stem that is close to the diameter of the tubing. Quickly recut the stem underwater and insert the stem into one end of the tubing. Be sure no air bubbles touch the end of the stem. Seal the tubing around the stem with petroleum jelly.
4. Mark the level of the water in the opposite end of the tubing. Then you can measure how many millimeters the water level drops as you do your experiment.

Now figure out how you will conduct the two parts of your experiment.

Answer 3

Transpiration is the water loss from a plant. Possible questions: How does temperature affect the rate of transpiration? How does wind affect the rate of transpiration?
Hypothesis: If I subject a group of plants to temperatures 15 degrees warmer than normal, then I would expect the rate of water loss (transpiration) to increase. or, If I subject a group of plants to a steady wind of 5 mph, then I would expect the rate of water loss (transpiration) to increase.
Gather your materials : Plants geraniums are good for this type of experiment. grafting wax, glass tubing with m.m. graduations, fan, heater, thermometers, Enclosed area to separate you experimental group from the control group.
Now all you have to do is come up with an experiment to prove either of these hypotheses.

Answer 4

2. Capillary action - is best answer. Gravity works in the opposite direction to the upward flow of water.