Final answer:
The balanced chemical equation for photosynthesis is 6CO2 + 6H2O + Energy → C6H12O6 + 6O2, which summarises the conversion of carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen using light energy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The balanced chemical equation for photosynthesis is fundamental in understanding how plants transform solar energy into chemical energy. Photosynthesis involves the conversion of carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen, utilizing energy from sunlight. The equation is represented as:
6CO2 + 6H2O + Energy → C6H12O6 + 6O2
This equation indicates that six molecules of carbon dioxide (6CO2) and six molecules of water (6H2O), in the presence of light energy, produce one molecule of glucose (C6H12O6) and six molecules of oxygen (6O2). It summarises the complex set of reactions that occur during the photosynthesis process, encompassing both the light reactions and the Calvin cycle.