Step 1: Understand the process of photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is the process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy stored in glucose. The general chemical equation for photosynthesis involves carbon dioxide (CO₂), water (H₂O), glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆), and oxygen (O₂).
Step 2: Recall the reactants and products of photosynthesis. The reactants are carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water (H₂O), and the products are glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆) and oxygen (O₂). This process requires light energy, which is absorbed by chlorophyll in the chloroplasts of plant cells.
Step 3: Write the balanced chemical equation for photosynthesis. The equation is: 6CO₂ + 6H₂O → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂. This shows that six molecules of carbon dioxide and six molecules of water are converted into one molecule of glucose and six molecules of oxygen.
Step 4: Analyze the given options. Compare each option to the correct balanced equation for photosynthesis. The correct option should have carbon dioxide and water as reactants on the left side and glucose and oxygen as products on the right side.
Step 5: Identify the correct answer. The correct answer is the option that matches the balanced equation: 6CO₂ + 6H₂O → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂. This represents the overall chemical equation for photosynthesis in plants.