Which of the following diagrams correctly labels the reactants and products of photosynthesis?

• A. Reactants: \(C_6H_{12}O_6 + 6\ \mathrm{CO}_2\); Products: \$6\ \mathrm{O}_2 + 6\ \mathrm{H}_2\mathrm{O}$
• B. Reactants: \$6\ \mathrm{O}_2 + 6\ \mathrm{H}_2\mathrm{O}\(; Products: \)C_6H_{12}O_6 + 6\ \mathrm{CO}_2$
• C. Reactants: \(C_6H_{12}O_6 + 6\ \mathrm{O}_2\); Products: \$6\ \mathrm{CO}_2 + 6\ \mathrm{H}_2\mathrm{O}$
• D. Reactants: \$6\ \mathrm{CO}_2 + 6\ \mathrm{H}_2\mathrm{O}\(; Products: \)C_6H_{12}O_6 + 6\ \mathrm{O}_2$

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Recall the chemical equation for photosynthesis, which is the process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy. The general formula is: \$6 ext{CO}_2 + 6 ext{H}_2 ext{O} + ext{light energy} \rightarrow C_6H_{12}O_6 + 6 ext{O}_2\(. This indicates that carbon dioxide (\) ext{CO}_2\() and water (\) ext{H}_2 ext{O}\() are the reactants, while glucose (\)C_6H_{12}O_6\() and oxygen (\) ext{O}_2$) are the products.
2. Step 2: Analyze the options provided in the problem. Each option lists reactants and products, but only one matches the correct chemical equation for photosynthesis. The correct reactants should be \$6 ext{CO}_2\( and \)6 ext{H}_2 ext{O}\(, and the correct products should be \)C_6H_{12}O_6\( and \)6 ext{O}_2$.
3. Step 3: Compare the given options to the correct chemical equation. Eliminate any options where the reactants or products are incorrectly labeled. For example, options that list glucose (\(C_6H_{12}O_6\)) as a reactant or carbon dioxide (\( ext{CO}_2\)) as a product are incorrect.
4. Step 4: Identify the option that correctly labels the reactants as \$6 ext{CO}_2\( and \)6 ext{H}_2 ext{O}\(, and the products as \)C_6H_{12}O_6\( and \)6 ext{O}_2$. This matches the chemical equation for photosynthesis.
5. Step 5: Confirm your choice by ensuring it aligns with the biological process of photosynthesis, where plants use carbon dioxide and water, along with light energy, to produce glucose and oxygen.