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3) True or False: overall equation for photosynthesis: “6 CO2 + 12 H2O --> C6H12O6 + 6 O2 + 6 H2O”

User Kyrofa
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Step 1 - Understanding photosynthesis

Photosynthesis is one of the most amazing chemical processes ever created by nature. Without photosynthesis, our atmosphere would lack oxygen and we, human beings, would not be here discussing its equation.

Photosynthesis is a chemical solution to using sunlight as an energy source: the plants consume CO2 from the atmosphere and water from the soil, thus producing oxygen and glucose (actually, sucrose), thanks to the sunlight.

Step 2 - Stating the equation

As we have seen, CO2 and H2O are the reactants, whereas O2 and glucose (C6H12O6) are the products.

The chemical equation can be represented thus as:


CO_2+H_2O\to O_2+C_6H_(12)O_6

This equation needs to be balanced:


6CO_2+6H_2O\to6O_2+C_6H_(12)O_6

Step 3 - Deciding whether the statement is true or false

Comparing the two equations:


6CO_2+6H_2O\to6O_2+C_6H_(12)O_6
6CO_2+12H_2O\to6O_2+C_6H_(12)O_6+6H_2O

We can see the equation given in the exercise is not the correct overall one. Therefore, this is a false statement.

User Tristanm
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