Step 1: Begin by understanding the process of photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is the process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy stored in glucose. It involves the use of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water (H₂O) as reactants, and produces glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆) and oxygen (O₂) as products.
Step 2: Recall the general chemical equation for photosynthesis. The reactants are 6 molecules of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and 6 molecules of water (H₂O), and the products are 1 molecule of glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆) and 6 molecules of oxygen (O₂). This can be represented as:
Step 3: Analyze the options provided in the problem. The correct equation must show carbon dioxide and water as reactants on the left side, and glucose and oxygen as products on the right side. This matches the equation:
Step 4: Eliminate incorrect options. For example, the equation represents cellular respiration, not photosynthesis.
Step 5: Confirm the correct answer. The correct representation of the photosynthesis equation is: . This matches the fourth option provided in the problem.