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:

Step1: Analyze energy usage in photosynthesis

Photosynthesis uses light energy. According to the rule, if more energy is used than released, energy should be on the reactant side.

Step2: Check the two equations

In the first equation \(6CO_{2}+6H_{2}O + \text{light energy}\to C_{6}H_{12}O_{6}+6O_{2}\), light energy (used 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 (suggesting it is released, which is incorrect for photosynthesis as it uses light energy).

Answer:

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