Classify each of the following as a reactant or a product for photosynthesis:
1. 6 H₂O
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2. 6 O₂
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3. 6 CO₂
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4. C₆H₁₂O₆
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Answer (2)
Water ( 6 H 2 O ) is a reactant in photosynthesis.
Oxygen ( 6 O 2 ) is a product of photosynthesis.
Carbon dioxide ( 6 C O 2 ) is a reactant in photosynthesis.
Glucose ( C 6 H 12 O 6 ) is a product of photosynthesis.
Explanation
Understanding Photosynthesis Photosynthesis is a process where plants use sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose (sugar) and oxygen. We need to identify which of the given substances are used up (reactants) and which are created (products) in this process.
The Chemical Equation The overall chemical reaction for photosynthesis is: 6 C O 2 + 6 H 2 O + light energy → C 6 H 12 O 6 + 6 O 2
Reactants vs. Products Reactants are the substances that are consumed during the reaction, and they appear on the left side of the equation. Products are the substances that are produced during the reaction, and they appear on the right side of the equation.
Classification of Substances
6 H₂O (Water): Water appears on the left side of the equation, so it is a reactant.
6 O₂ (Oxygen): Oxygen appears on the right side of the equation, so it is a product.
6 CO₂ (Carbon Dioxide): Carbon dioxide appears on the left side of the equation, so it is a reactant.
C6H12O6 (Glucose): Glucose appears on the right side of the equation, so it is a product.
Examples
Photosynthesis is how plants make their food! Just like you need ingredients to bake a cake, plants need carbon dioxide and water. The sunlight provides the energy for the plants to mix these ingredients and create sugar (glucose) for energy and oxygen as a byproduct. This process is vital for life on Earth, as it provides the oxygen we breathe and forms the base of most food chains.
In photosynthesis, water (6 H₂O) and carbon dioxide (6 CO₂) are reactants, while glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆) and oxygen (6 O₂) are products. This process converts sunlight energy into chemical energy in the form of glucose while releasing oxygen. Understanding this classification is essential for grasping the fundamental processes of how plants obtain energy.
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