Step 1: Understand 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 it produces glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆) and oxygen (O₂) as products.
Step 2: Recall the general chemical equation for photosynthesis. The overall reaction can be summarized as: 6CO₂ + 6H₂O → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂. This equation shows that six molecules of carbon dioxide and six molecules of water are converted into one molecule of glucose and six molecules of oxygen, using light energy.
Step 3: Analyze the given options. Compare each option to the correct photosynthesis equation. The correct equation must have carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water (H₂O) as reactants on the left side, and glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆) and oxygen (O₂) as products on the right side.
Step 4: Eliminate incorrect options. For example, the first option (6O₂ + 6H₂O → 6CO₂ + C₆H₁₂O₆) is incorrect because it reverses the roles of reactants and products. Similarly, the second option (C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ → 6CO₂ + 6H₂O) represents cellular respiration, not photosynthesis.
Step 5: Identify the correct answer. The correct equation is 6CO₂ + 6H₂O → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂, as it accurately represents the reactants and products of photosynthesis in plants.