Question

1. write the photosynthesis equation using either words or chemical symbols. extra kudos for balancing it!

Explanation:

Step1: Recall Photosynthesis Reactants/Products

Photosynthesis uses \( \ce{CO_2} \), \( \ce{H_2O} \), light; produces \( \ce{C_6H_{12}O_6} \), \( \ce{O_2} \).

Step2: Write Unbalanced Equation

\( \ce{CO_2 + H_2O + light -> C_6H_{12}O_6 + O_2} \) (in chloroplasts)

Step3: Balance Carbon (C)

6 \( \ce{CO_2} \): \( \ce{6CO_2 + H_2O + light -> C_6H_{12}O_6 + O_2} \)

Step4: Balance Hydrogen (H)

6 \( \ce{H_2O} \): \( \ce{6CO_2 + 6H_2O + light -> C_6H_{12}O_6 + O_2} \)

Step5: Balance Oxygen (O)

Left: \( 6\times2 + 6\times1 = 18 \); Right: \( 6\times1 + 2x = 18 \) → \( x = 6 \). So 6 \( \ce{O_2} \).

Step6: Final Balanced Equation

\( \ce{6CO_2 + 6H_2O \xrightarrow[\text{Chlorophyll}]{\text{Sunlight}} C_6H_{12}O_6 + 6O_2} \) (word form: Carbon dioxide + Water + Sunlight (in Chlorophyll) → Glucose + Oxygen)

Answer:

Balanced chemical equation for photosynthesis:
\(\boldsymbol{\ce{6CO_2 + 6H_2O \xrightarrow[\text{Chlorophyll}]{\text{Sunlight}} C_6H_{12}O_6 + 6O_2}}\)

(Word form: Six molecules of carbon dioxide and six molecules of water, in the presence of sunlight and chlorophyll, react to form one molecule of glucose and six molecules of oxygen.)