During photosynthesis, water ( H2O

Question

) and carbon dioxide ( CO2
) are combined to make glucose ( C6H12O6
) and oxygen ( O2
). Which equation is balanced?(1 point)
Responses

H2O + CO2 → C6H12O6 + O2
H2O + CO2 → C6H12O6 + O2

6H2O + 6CO2 → C6H12O6 + 6O2
6H2O + 6CO2 → C6H12O6 + 6O2

10H2O + 5CO2 → C6H12O6 + 15O2
10H2O + 5CO2 → C6H12O6 + 15O2

12H2O + 3CO2 → C6H12O6 + O2

Answer 1

To determine which of the provided equations for photosynthesis is balanced, we need to ensure that the number of atoms for each element is the same on both sides of the equation.

1. H2O + CO2 → C6H12O6 + O2

   • Reactants: 2 H (from H2O) + 1 C (from CO2) + 2 O (from H2O) + 2 O (from CO2) = 2 H, 1 C, and 3 O
   • Products: 6 C (from C6H12O6) + 12 H (from C6H12O6) + 2 O (from O2) = 6 C, 12 H, and 8 O
   • Not balanced.

2. 6H2O + 6CO2 → C6H12O6 + 6O2

   • Reactants: 6 × 2 H (from 6H2O) + 6 C (from 6CO2) + 6 × 1 O (from 6H2O) + 6 × 1 O (from 6CO2) = 12 H, 6 C, and 12 O
   • Products: 6 C (from C6H12O6) + 12 H (from C6H12O6) + 6 × 2 O (from 6O2) = 6 C, 12 H, and 12 O
   • Balanced.

3. 10H2O + 5CO2 → C6H12O6 + 15O2

   • Not balanced.

4. 12H2O + 3CO2 → C6H12O6 + O2

   • Not balanced.

The balanced equation for photosynthesis is: 6H2O + 6CO2 → C6H12O6 + 6O2.