Let's analyze the process of photosynthesis as described by the given chemical equation:
[tex]\[ 6 \text{CO}_2 + 6 \text{H}_2\text{O} + \text{energy} \rightarrow 6 \text{O}_2 + \text{C}_6 \text{H}_{12} \text{O}_6 \][/tex]
To determine where the energy is transferred as a result of photosynthesis, we need to understand what happens to the energy in this reaction.
1. Reactants:
- Carbon dioxide ([tex]\(\text{CO}_2\)[/tex]): 6 molecules
- Water ([tex]\(\text{H}_2\text{O}\)[/tex]): 6 molecules
- Energy (typically from sunlight)
2. Products:
- Oxygen ([tex]\(\text{O}_2\)[/tex]): 6 molecules
- Glucose ([tex]\(\text{C}_6 \text{H}_{12} \text{O}_6\)[/tex]): 1 molecule
Photosynthesis is the process by which plants, algae, and some bacteria convert light energy into chemical energy. In this equation, sunlight provides the energy that allows the reaction to occur.
- The reactants, carbon dioxide and water, utilize this energy to form the products, oxygen and glucose.
- The energy from sunlight is primarily stored in the chemical bonds of the glucose ([tex]\(\text{C}_6 \text{H}_{12} \text{O}_6\)[/tex]) molecule.
Now, let's evaluate the options provided in the question:
- Into water: The energy is not stored in water; instead, water is one of the initial reactants.
- Into the air: The energy is not transferred into the air, although oxygen is released into the air as a byproduct.
- Into sugars: Glucose, which is a type of sugar, is produced during photosynthesis. The energy from sunlight is stored in the chemical bonds of glucose.
- Into the ground: The energy is not transferred into the ground during this process.
Based on this analysis, the correct answer is:
- Into sugars
So, the energy shown in the equation is transferred into sugars as a result of photosynthesis.
