Final answer:
The correct equation for photosynthesis is option E) 6CO2 + 6H2O + light energy = C6H12O6 + 6O2, which represents the process where plants convert light energy into glucose while releasing oxygen.
Step-by-step explanation:
To answer which of the following is the correct equation for photosynthesis, the correct one is E) 6CO2 + 6H2O + light energy = C6H12O6 + 6O2. Photosynthesis is the biochemical process by which green plants, algae, and some bacteria convert light energy, usually from the sun, water (H2O), and carbon dioxide (CO2) into oxygen (O2) and glucose (C6H12O6), a form of sugar that plants use for energy. It's important to recognize that in the equation, solar energy is harnessed to transform carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen, an endothermic (energy-consuming) process performed by autotrophs.
Therefore, of the given options, only option E accurately represents the photosynthesis equation used by autotrophs to convert light energy into chemical energy stored in glucose (C6H12O6), while releasing oxygen into the atmosphere as a byproduct.