Final answer:
The chemical formula for photosynthesis is 6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H12O6 + 6O2, indicating that six molecules of carbon dioxide and six of water produce glucose and oxygen, powered by sunlight and chlorophyll.
Step-by-step explanation:
Interpreting the Photosynthesis Chemical Formula
The chemical formula for photosynthesis represents a process where plants convert light energy into chemical energy. To write this formula, we first identify the reactants and the products. The reactants, which are the substances consumed by the reaction, are carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O). The products, which are the substances formed by the reaction, are glucose (C6H12O6) and oxygen (O2).
The balanced chemical equation for photosynthesis is:
6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H12O6 + 6O2
This equation means that six molecules of carbon dioxide and six molecules of water are converted into one molecule of glucose and six molecules of oxygen. This transformation is facilitated by sunlight and the green pigment chlorophyll, which is found in plant cells. The importance of photosynthesis extends beyond plants themselves, as it is the foundation for the survival of most lifeforms on Earth, providing not only oxygen but also the energy stored in glucose that powers the food chain.