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

A. [tex]O_2 + 6 \ CO_2[/tex]
B. [tex]C_6 H_{12} O_6 + 6 \ H_2 O[/tex]
C. [tex]6 \ CO_2 + 6 \ H_2 O[/tex]
D. [tex]C_6 H_{12} O_6 + 6 \ O_2[/tex]



Answer :

To determine the products of the chemical equation for photosynthesis, let's first understand the overall chemical reaction that describes the process. Photosynthesis is a process used by plants and other organisms to convert light energy, usually from the Sun, into chemical energy that can be later released to fuel the organism's activities. The simplified overall chemical equation for photosynthesis is:

[tex]\[ 6 \text{CO}_2 + 6 \text{H}_2\text{O} + \text{light energy} \rightarrow \text{C}_6\text{H}_{12}\text{O}_6 + 6 \text{O}_2 \][/tex]

In this reaction:
- [tex]\(\text{CO}_2\)[/tex] represents carbon dioxide.
- [tex]\(\text{H}_2\text{O}\)[/tex] represents water.
- [tex]\(\text{C}_6\text{H}_{12}\text{O}_6\)[/tex] represents glucose, a type of sugar.
- [tex]\(\text{O}_2\)[/tex] represents oxygen.

The reactants, or substances that start the reaction, are:
- 6 molecules of carbon dioxide ([tex]\(\text{CO}_2\)[/tex])
- 6 molecules of water ([tex]\(\text{H}_2\text{O}\)[/tex])
- light energy

The products, or substances that are produced by the reaction, are:
- 1 molecule of glucose ([tex]\(\text{C}_6\text{H}_{12}\text{O}_6\)[/tex])
- 6 molecules of oxygen ([tex]\(\text{O}_2\)[/tex])

Therefore, the products of the chemical equation for photosynthesis are:

[tex]\[ \text{C}_6\text{H}_{12}\text{O}_6 + 6 \text{O}_2 \][/tex]

Thus, the correct representation of the products in the given chemical equation for photosynthesis is:

[tex]\[ \boxed{\text{C}_6\text{H}_{12}\text{O}_6 + 6 \text{O}_2} \][/tex]

This is in line with the fourth option listed in the question:

- [tex]\(\text{O}_2 + 6 \text{CO}_2\)[/tex]
- [tex]\(\text{C}_6\text{H}_{12}\text{O}_6 + 6 \text{H}_2\text{O}\)[/tex]
- [tex]\(\text{C}_6\text{H}_{12}\text{O}_6 + 6 \text{O}_2\)[/tex] (correct option)
- [tex]\(\text{6 CO}_2 + 6 \text{H}_2\text{O}\)[/tex]

Hence, the products in the chemical equation for photosynthesis are represented as [tex]\(\text{C}_6\text{H}_{12}\text{O}_6 + 6 \text{O}_2\)[/tex].