Question

scientists sometimes want to show whether more energy is used or released during a chemical process. they do this by adding the word energy to the chemical equation. if more energy is used than is released during a chemical process, energy should appear on the same side of the equation as the reactants. if more energy is released than is used, energy should appear on the same side of the equation as the products. the energy used in photosynthesis is light energy, which is captured by pigments in plant cells called chlorophyll. which of the following balanced chemical equations accurately summarizes photosynthesis? 6co₂ + 6h₂o + light energy → c₆h₁₂o₆ + 6o₂ 6co₂ + 6h₂o → c₆h₁₂o₆ + 6o₂ + light energy

Explanation:

Photosynthesis is a process where plants use light energy (captured by chlorophyll). As more energy is used (light energy) than released during photosynthesis, according to the rule, energy (light energy here) should be on the reactant side. In the first equation \(6CO_{2}+6H_{2}O + \text{light energy}\to C_{6}H_{12}O_{6}+6O_{2}\), light energy is on the reactant side. In the second equation \(6CO_{2}+6H_{2}O\to C_{6}H_{12}O_{6}+6O_{2}+\text{light energy}\), light energy is on the product side which is incorrect as per the energy - usage rule for photosynthesis.

Answer:

\(6CO_{2}+6H_{2}O + \text{light energy}\to C_{6}H_{12}O_{6}+6O_{2}\)