Which of the following represents the balanced photosynthesis equation?

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Multiple Choice

Which of the following represents the balanced photosynthesis equation?

Photosynthesis needs light energy to drive the chemical changes that turn carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen. The balanced form shows six CO2 and six H2O on the left, plus light energy, yielding one molecule of glucose (C6H12O6) and six molecules of O2 on the right. The coefficients balance atoms: 6 C, 12 H, and 18 O on both sides (glucose has 6 O and the six O2 provide the remaining 12). The energy source must be light energy, not heat, because the process relies on capturing light to power the reactions. So, the form with + light energy correctly represents the photosynthesis equation.

Photosynthesis needs light energy to drive the chemical changes that turn carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen. The balanced form shows six CO2 and six H2O on the left, plus light energy, yielding one molecule of glucose (C6H12O6) and six molecules of O2 on the right. The coefficients balance atoms: 6 C, 12 H, and 18 O on both sides (glucose has 6 O and the six O2 provide the remaining 12). The energy source must be light energy, not heat, because the process relies on capturing light to power the reactions. So, the form with + light energy correctly represents the photosynthesis equation.

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