Final answer:
In photosynthesis, light energy absorbed by chlorophyll is converted into chemical energy in the form of ATP and NADPH during the light-dependent reactions, which is then used to synthesize glucose.
Step-by-step explanation:
What Happens to Light Energy in Photosynthesis?
The equation 6CO2 + 6H2O + Light Energy → C6H12O6 + 6O2 summarizes the process of photosynthesis, where light energy is used to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen. In the light-dependent reactions, which occur in the thylakoid membranes of the chloroplast, this light energy is trapped by chlorophyll and converted into chemical energy stored in molecules of ATP and the electron carrier NADPH. The energy stored in ATP and NADPH is then used in the Calvin cycle, another stage of photosynthesis, to synthesize glucose from carbon dioxide.
During the light-dependent reactions, the light energy absorbed by chlorophyll drives the transport of electrons through an electron transport chain, which produces ATP and NADPH. Thus, the light energy captured by chlorophyll is transformed into the chemical energy of ATP and NADPH, which are crucial for the subsequent production of glucose in the Calvin cycle.