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Energy and ecosystems (A-level only)

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Question 1

Spinach plants grow best under specific light conditions. To increase the yield of spinach plants, a grower uses high-pressure sodium (HPS) lamps to provide additional light.

The increase in dry mass (DDD) produced when using additional light can be calculated using this equation:

D=L0.5F D = \frac{L}{0.5F} D=0.5FL​

where:

  • L L\,L is the light used in photosynthesis
  • F F\,F is the GPP to NPP conversion factor for spinach plants

The table below shows some of these values for HPS lamps:

L / MJ m−2 h−1L \text{ / MJ m}^{-2}\text{ h}^{-1}L / MJ m−2 h−1F / MJ kg−1F \text{ / MJ kg}^{-1}F / MJ kg−1
4.15 × 10-216

Use the equation and the table to calculate the increase in dry mass produced when using HPS lamps.

Give your answer in standard form and give the units.

[3]

Energy and ecosystems (A-level only) Questions

  1. A Level
  2. /Biology
  3. /Energy and ecosystems (A-level only)