How are the reactants represented in the chemical equation for photosynthesis?

A. [tex]6 CO_2 + O_2[/tex]
B. [tex]6 CO_2 + 6 H_2O[/tex]
C. [tex]C_6H_{12}O_6 + 6 O_2[/tex]
D. [tex]C_6H_{12}O_6 + 6 H_2O[/tex]



Answer :

To determine how the reactants are represented in the chemical equation for photosynthesis, we need to analyze the chemical reaction involved in the process of photosynthesis.

The balanced chemical equation for photosynthesis is:
[tex]\[ 6 \text{CO}_2 + 6 \text{H}_2\text{O} \rightarrow \text{C}_6\text{H}_{12}\text{O}_6 + 6 \text{O}_2 \][/tex]

In this equation:
- The reactants are the substances that are consumed in the reaction, on the left-hand side of the arrow.
- The products are the substances that are produced in the reaction, on the right-hand side of the arrow.

For the reactants:
- [tex]\(\text{CO}_2\)[/tex] represents carbon dioxide.
- [tex]\(\text{H}_2\text{O}\)[/tex] represents water.

From the given balanced equation:
- The number of molecules of carbon dioxide ([tex]\(\text{CO}_2\)[/tex]) react with water ([tex]\(\text{H}_2\text{O}\)[/tex]) to produce glucose ([tex]\(\text{C}_6\text{H}_{12}\text{O}_6\)[/tex]) and oxygen ([tex]\(\text{O}_2\)[/tex]).

Thus, the reactants in the chemical equation for photosynthesis are:
[tex]\[ 6 \text{CO}_2 + 6 \text{H}_2\text{O} \][/tex]

Therefore, the correct representation of the reactants among the given options is:
[tex]\[ 6 \text{CO}_2 + 6 \text{H}_2\text{O} \][/tex]

Hence, the correct answer is:
[tex]\[ \boxed{6 \text{CO}_2 + 6 \text{H}_2\text{O}} \][/tex]