What is the general formula for photosynthesis?

The general formula for photosynthesis is represented accurately as 6CO2 + 6H2O + light energy → C6H12O6 + 6O2. This equation illustrates the process by which plants convert carbon dioxide and water, using sunlight as energy, into glucose (C6H12O6) and oxygen (O2).

In this reaction, six molecules of carbon dioxide and six molecules of water interact in the presence of light to produce one molecule of glucose and six molecules of oxygen. This transformation is critical for the survival of plants and is a foundational aspect of Earth's ecosystems since it provides food and oxygen for almost all living organisms.

The other options do not represent the process accurately. For instance, while CO2 and water are indeed substrates for photosynthesis, the first option lacks the stoichiometric balance of the molecules involved. The third option incorrectly reverses the process, depicting respiration rather than photosynthesis, where glucose and oxygen are converted back into carbon dioxide and water, releasing energy. The fourth option also misrepresents the process by including light energy as a product, which is incorrect since light energy is a necessary input for photosynthesis, not a product formed during the process.

Thus, the correct formulation provides