Which of the following is the balanced overall chemical equation for oxygenic photosynthesis in plants?

• A. $C_6{H}_{12}{O}_6$ + $6O_2$ $\to$ $6C_{0}2$ + $6H_{2}O$ + energy
• B. $6C_{0}2$ + $12H_{2}O$ + light energy $\to$ $C_6{H}_{12}{O}_6$ + $12O_2$
• C. $6C_{0}2$ + $6H_{2}O$ $\to$ $C_6{H}_{12}{O}_6$ + $O_2$
• D. $6C_{0}2$ + $6H_{2}O$ + light energy $\to C_6{H}_{12}{O}_6$ + $6O_2$

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that oxygenic photosynthesis is the process by which plants convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen using light energy.
2. Recall the general form of the photosynthesis equation: carbon dioxide + water + light energy → glucose + oxygen.
3. Write the unbalanced chemical equation: \(\mathrm{CO_2} + \mathrm{H_2O} + \text{light energy} \rightarrow \mathrm{C_6H_{12}O_6} + \mathrm{O_2}\).
4. Balance the carbon atoms by placing a coefficient of 6 before \(\mathrm{CO_2}\) and \(\mathrm{C_6H_{12}O_6}\), since glucose has 6 carbon atoms.
5. Balance the hydrogen and oxygen atoms by placing a coefficient of 6 before \(\mathrm{H_2O}\) and 6 before \(\mathrm{O_2}\), ensuring the number of atoms on both sides is equal.