In oxygenic photosynthesis in plants, what is the overall balanced chemical equation for the process (using light energy)?

• A. $6C_{0}2+12H_{2}O+\text{light}\to C_6{H}_{12}{O}_6+12O_2$
• B. $6C_{0}2+6H_{2}O+\text{light}\to C_6{H}_{12}{O}_6+6O_2$
• C. $6C_{0}2+6H_{2}O\to 6C_0\mathrm{+}+6O_2$
• D. $C_6{H}_{12}{O}_6+6O_2\to 6C_{0}2+6H_{2}O+\text{energy}$

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the reactants and products involved in oxygenic photosynthesis. The main reactants are carbon dioxide (CO\_2), water (H\_2O), and light energy. The products are glucose (C\_6H\_12O\_6) and oxygen (O\_2).
2. Write the unbalanced chemical equation with the known molecules: \$6\ CO\_2 + x\ H\_2O + \text{light energy} \rightarrow C\_6H\_12O\_6 + y\ O\_2$.
3. Balance the carbon atoms first. Since glucose has 6 carbon atoms, you need 6 molecules of CO\_2 on the reactant side.
4. Balance the hydrogen atoms next. Glucose contains 12 hydrogen atoms, so you need 6 molecules of H\_2O (each with 2 hydrogens) to provide 12 hydrogens.
5. Balance the oxygen atoms last. Count oxygen atoms on both sides and adjust the coefficient of O\_2 accordingly to balance oxygen atoms. This will give you the balanced overall equation for oxygenic photosynthesis.