To determine how the reactants are represented in the chemical equation for photosynthesis, we need to understand the photosynthesis process.
Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants, algae, and some bacteria convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen using sunlight energy. The general balanced chemical equation for photosynthesis can be written as:
[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:
- [tex]\( 6 \text{CO}_2 \)[/tex] (carbon dioxide) and [tex]\( 6 \text{H}_2\text{O} \)[/tex] (water) are the reactants.
- [tex]\( \text{C}_6\text{H}_{12}\text{O}_6 \)[/tex] (glucose) and [tex]\( 6 \text{O}_2 \)[/tex] (oxygen) are the products.
Examining the given options:
1. [tex]\( 6 \text{CO}_2 + \text{O}_2 \)[/tex]
- This option is incorrect as it includes only carbon dioxide and oxygen but misses water, which is a key reactant in photosynthesis.
2. [tex]\( 6 \text{CO}_2 + 6 \text{H}_2\text{O} \)[/tex]
- This option correctly includes both carbon dioxide and water in the correct proportions as reactants.
3. [tex]\( \text{C}_6\text{H}_{12}\text{O}_6 + 6 \text{O}_2 \)[/tex]
- This option represents the products of the photosynthesis reaction, not the reactants.
4. [tex]\( \text{C}_6\text{H}_{12}\text{O}_6 + 6 \text{H}_2\text{O} \)[/tex]
- This option is incorrect because it lists glucose and water, which does not represent the reactants of the photosynthesis process.
Given the correct representation of the reactants [tex]\( 6 \text{CO}_2 \)[/tex] and [tex]\( 6 \text{H}_2\text{O} \)[/tex], the correct answer is:
[tex]\[ 6 \text{CO}_2 + 6 \text{H}_2\text{O} \][/tex]
Thus, the correct option is:
[tex]\[ \boxed{2} \][/tex]
