Photosynthesis is considered a chemical reaction because it involves a series of chemical processes that convert light energy into chemical energy. During this process, plants, algae, and some bacteria use sunlight to transform carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen. This transformation can be represented by the following chemical equation:
6 CO2 + 6 H2O + light energy → C6H12O6 + 6 O2
The reactants in this reaction are carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere and water (H2O) absorbed by plant roots. The products are glucose (C6H12O6), which serves as energy storage for the plant, and oxygen (O2), which is released into the atmosphere. This transformation of substances is the hallmark of a chemical reaction.
Additionally, during photosynthesis, bonds between atoms in the reactants are broken, and new bonds are formed to create the products. This change in the chemical composition of substances further confirms that photosynthesis is indeed a chemical reaction. Overall, it exemplifies how energy is captured and stored in a usable form through chemical means.