To determine how the reactants are represented in the chemical equation for photosynthesis, let's carefully analyze the components involved in the photosynthesis process.
Photosynthesis is a chemical process used by plants, algae, and some bacteria to convert light energy into chemical energy in the form of glucose. The general equation for photosynthesis can be written as:
[tex]\[ 6 CO_2 + 6 H_2O + light \ energy \rightarrow C_6H_{12}O_6 + 6 O_2 \][/tex]
Here is what each component represents:
- [tex]\( CO_2 \)[/tex] is carbon dioxide.
- [tex]\( H_2O \)[/tex] is water.
- [tex]\( C_6H_{12}O_6 \)[/tex] is glucose, a sugar.
- [tex]\( O_2 \)[/tex] is oxygen.
In this process:
- The reactants are carbon dioxide ([tex]\( CO_2 \)[/tex]) and water ([tex]\( H_2O \)[/tex]).
- The products are glucose ([tex]\( C_6H_{12}O_6 \)[/tex]) and oxygen ([tex]\( O_2 \)[/tex]).
From our understanding of the photosynthesis equation, the correct representation of the reactants involves:
- 6 molecules of carbon dioxide ([tex]\( 6 CO_2 \)[/tex])
- 6 molecules of water ([tex]\( 6 H_2O \)[/tex])
Given the options:
1. [tex]\( 6 CO_2 + O_2 \)[/tex]
- This is incorrect because it is missing water ([tex]\( H_2O \)[/tex]) and incorrectly lists oxygen as a reactant rather than a product.
2. [tex]\( 6 CO_2 + 6 H_2O \)[/tex]
- This is the correct representation of the reactants in the photosynthesis process.
3. [tex]\( C_6H_{12}O_6 + 6 O_2 \)[/tex]
- This represents the products of photosynthesis, not the reactants.
4. [tex]\( C_6H_{12}O_6 + 6 H_2O \)[/tex]
- This is incorrect because it lists glucose as a reactant instead of a product and includes water where it shouldn't be.
Therefore, the correct answer is:
[tex]\[ 6 CO_2 + 6 H_2O \][/tex]
So, the correct choice is the second option:
[tex]\[ 6 CO_2 + 6 H_2O \][/tex]
