The chemical reaction of photosynthesis requires light energy input. In other words, the reaction will not happen if light energy is not provided. The equation is shown below: Chlorophyll 6CO2 +6H2O C6H12O6 +602 Sunlight In terms of chemical energy, explain whether photosynthesis is endothermic or exothermic. Is there more energy on the reactant side or the product side? How do you know? Your answer should include some of the information provided above
Photosynthesis is an endothermic reaction, meaning it requires an input of energy in the form of sunlight to occur. This is evident in the equation shown, where sunlight is required for the reactants (6CO2 + 6H2O) to be converted into the products (C6H12O6 + 6O2).
Since sunlight is required as an input for the reaction to take place, there is more energy on the reactant side of the equation. The products, glucose (C6H12O6) and oxygen (O2), are the result of the energy input and are considered to have lower energy levels compared to the reactants. This can be understood by the fact that plants use the energy from sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen, storing the energy in the bonds of the glucose molecule.