What needs to be done after soaking the pondweed in the experiment?

After soaking the pondweed in the experiment, calculating the mean volume of oxygen produced is crucial for analyzing the results. This step is essential because it allows for an accurate quantification of the rate of photosynthesis, which can be affected by various factors such as light intensity and carbon dioxide concentration.

By determining the mean, you account for any variability in the results due to experimental error or natural variations in the pondweed's performance. This statistical approach helps draw more reliable conclusions about how environmental factors influence photosynthesis in the pondweed. Each measurement contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of the overall photosynthetic activity rather than relying on a single observation, which might not represent the entire experiment's findings.

In this context, actions such as turning off the light, adjusting temperature, or removing the pondweed would not contribute directly to the assessment of oxygen production once the experiment has been conducted.