Sure, let's go step by step to determine the reactants in the chemical equation for photosynthesis.
Photosynthesis is a biological process used by plants, algae, and some bacteria to convert light energy, usually from the sun, into chemical energy stored in glucose. The overall balanced 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]
Breaking down the equation:
1. Reactants: These are the substances that are consumed or used up in the reaction.
- Carbon dioxide ([tex]\(\text{CO}_2\)[/tex]): It is taken from the atmosphere by plants.
- Water ([tex]\(\text{H}_2\text{O}\)[/tex]): It is absorbed by plant roots from the soil.
- Light energy: It is provided by sunlight.
2. Products: These are the substances that are produced as a result of the reaction.
- Glucose ([tex]\(\text{C}_6\text{H}_{12}\text{O}_6\)[/tex]): This is a sugar molecule that stores chemical energy.
- Oxygen ([tex]\(\text{O}_2\)[/tex]): This is released into the atmosphere as a by-product.
From this analysis, we need to identify which of the listed options correctly represents the reactants:
- Option 1: [tex]\( 6 \, \text{CO}_2 + \text{O}_2 \)[/tex]
- This is incorrect because it includes oxygen as a reactant, which is actually a product.
- Option 2: [tex]\( 6 \, \text{CO}_2 + 6 \, \text{H}_2\text{O} \)[/tex]
- This is correct because it includes both carbon dioxide and water, which are the reactants used in photosynthesis.
- Option 3: [tex]\( \text{C}_6\text{H}_{12}\text{O}_6 + 6 \, \text{O}_2 \)[/tex]
- This is incorrect because it represents the products of the reaction, not the reactants.
- Option 4: [tex]\( \text{C}_6\text{H}_{12}\text{O}_6 + 6 \, \text{H}_2\text{O} \)[/tex]
- This is incorrect because it includes glucose and water, but water is a reactant, not a product.
Thus, the correct answer is:
[tex]\[ 6 \, \text{CO}_2 + 6 \, \text{H}_2\text{O} \][/tex]
Therefore, the reactants in the chemical equation for photosynthesis are best represented by:
Option 2: [tex]\( 6 \, \text{CO}_2 + 6 \, \text{H}_2\text{O} \)[/tex]
