Which of the following chemical equations best represents oxygenic photosynthesis in plants?

• A. $N_2+3H_2\to 2N_{\mathrm{H}}{3}_{\mathrm{}}$
• B. $C_6{H}_{12}{O}_6+6O_2\to 6C_{0}2+6H_{2}O+\text{energy}$
• C. $6C_{0}2+6H_{2}O+\text{light energy}\to C_6{H}_{12}{O}_6+6O_2$
• D. $2H_2+O_2\to 2H_{2}O$

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand what oxygenic photosynthesis is. It is the process by which plants use light energy to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen.
2. Step 2: Identify the reactants and products involved in oxygenic photosynthesis. The reactants are carbon dioxide (\(\text{CO}_2\)) and water (\(\text{H}_2\text{O}\)), and the products are glucose (\(\text{C}_6\text{H}_{12}\text{O}_6\)) and oxygen (\(\text{O}_2\)).
3. Step 3: Recall the general balanced chemical equation for oxygenic photosynthesis, which is: \$6\ \text{CO}_2 + 6\ \text{H}_2\text{O} + \text{light energy} \rightarrow \text{C}_6\text{H}_{12}\text{O}_6 + 6\ \text{O}_2$.
4. Step 4: Compare the given chemical equations to this general equation. The correct equation should show carbon dioxide and water as reactants, light energy as an input, and glucose and oxygen as products.
5. Step 5: Eliminate equations that represent other processes (such as nitrogen fixation or cellular respiration) and select the one that matches the balanced photosynthesis equation described in Step 3.