The process of photosynthesis can be described by the chemical equation that depicts the transformation of carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen, taking place in the presence of sunlight and chlorophyll.
The chemical equation for photosynthesis is:
[tex]\[ 6 \text{CO}_2 + 6 \text{H}_2\text{O} \xrightarrow{\text{light}} \text{C}_6\text{H}_{12}\text{O}_6 + 6 \text{O}_2 \][/tex]
In this equation:
- [tex]\( 6 \text{CO}_2 \)[/tex] represents six molecules of carbon dioxide.
- [tex]\( 6 \text{H}_2\text{O} \)[/tex] represents six molecules of water.
- [tex]\( \text{C}_6\text{H}_{12}\text{O}_6 \)[/tex] represents one molecule of glucose.
- [tex]\( 6 \text{O}_2 \)[/tex] represents six molecules of oxygen.
To identify the reactants in the equation for photosynthesis, we look at the substances that are present before the reaction takes place (on the left side of the equation).
Therefore, the correct identification of the reactants for photosynthesis is:
[tex]\[ 6 \text{CO}_2 + 6 \text{H}_2\text{O} \][/tex]
Thus, among the given options:
1. [tex]\( 6 \text{CO}_2 + \text{O}_2 \)[/tex]
2. [tex]\( 6 \text{CO}_2 + 6 \text{H}_2\text{O} \)[/tex]
3. [tex]\( \text{C}_6\text{H}_{12}\text{O}_6 + 6 \text{O}_2 \)[/tex]
4. [tex]\( \text{C}_6\text{H}_{12}\text{O}_6 + 6 \text{H}_2\text{O} \)[/tex]
The correct option is:
[tex]\[ 6 \text{CO}_2 + 6 \text{H}_2\text{O} \][/tex]
Thus, the reactants in the chemical equation for photosynthesis are represented by option 2:
[tex]\[ 6 \text{CO}_2 + 6 \text{H}_2\text{O} \][/tex]
