The light reactions of photosynthesis use light energy and produce ATP and NADPH.
During the light reactions, chlorophyll absorbs sunlight, which causes water molecules to split in a process known as photolysis. This reaction releases oxygen and creates energy-rich molecules. The absorbed light energy is converted into chemical energy in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) and NADPH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate). These compounds play a crucial role in the next stage of photosynthesis, known as the Calvin cycle, where they are used to convert carbon dioxide into glucose.