Chapter 5, Problem 1LTB

Summary Introduction

To determine:

The reactants and the products of the photosynthesis.

Introduction:

Photosynthesis is the reaction in which plants synthesize carbohydrates and from carbon dioxide and water with the help of chlorophyll and sunlight.

The reactants are the substances, which undergo the changes in the chemical reaction and the products are the substances, which are formed by chemical changes in the reactants.

Explanation of Solution

It is a process seen in plants, in which light energy is converted into chemical energy. When the sun reflects on a plant, the chloroplast will trap the photons by the help of its chlorophyll pigments. This trapped energy will convert carbon dioxide and water into carbohydrates and oxygen. This process is very essential as they provide food for higher animals.

The equation of the photosynthesis is:

  $\text{6CO2 + 12H2O}\to \text{C6H12O6 + O2}$

In a chemical reaction, the reactants are written on left hand side and the products are written on right hand side. Here, the reactants are carbon dioxide and water, and the products are glucose and oxygen.

Conclusion

The reactants of the photosynthesis are carbon dioxide and water, and the products are glucose and oxygen.