To determine the main source of energy in the photosynthesis equation, let's carefully analyze the components involved.
The given chemical equation for photosynthesis is:
[tex]\[ 6 \text{CO}_2 + 6 \text{H}_2\text{O} + \text{energy} \rightarrow 6 \text{O}_2 + \text{C}_6\text{H}_{12}\text{O}_6 \][/tex]
- \( \text{CO}_2 \) (carbon dioxide) and \( \text{H}_2\text{O} \) (water) are the reactants taken in by the plant.
- On the right side of the equation, \( \text{O}_2 \) (oxygen) and \( \text{C}_6\text{H}_{12}\text{O}_6 \) (glucose) are the products.
To drive this reaction, a source of energy is required. This energy is encapsulated in the equation simply as "energy."
Let's analyze the options:
1. Soil: While soil provides essential nutrients and minerals for plant growth, it is not the primary source of energy for the photosynthesis process.
2. Sun: The sun provides light energy, which is absorbed by the chlorophyll in plant cells and used to convert \( \text{CO}_2 \) and \( \text{H}_2\text{O} \) into glucose and oxygen. This process is known as photosynthesis.
3. ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate): Although ATP is a crucial energy carrier within cells, it is produced as a result of cellular respiration. ATP itself is not directly provided as the main energy source in the photosynthesis equation.
4. Glucose: This is a product of the photosynthesis process, not a source of energy for the reaction to occur.
Given this information, the primary source of energy driving the photosynthesis reaction is the light energy from the sun.
Thus, the main source of energy shown in the photosynthesis equation is the sun.
