The process by which plants use light energy, water, and carbon dioxide to produce glucose and oxygen is called photosynthesis. During photosynthesis, plants absorb light energy from the sun through their chlorophyll pigments, which are located in their chloroplasts. This light energy is used to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen. The overall chemical equation for photosynthesis is:
6CO2 + 6H2O + light energy → C6H12O6 + 6O2
In this process, carbon dioxide and water are combined in the presence of light energy to produce glucose (C6H12O6) and oxygen (O2). Glucose is a form of sugar that plants use as a source of energy for growth and development, while oxygen is released into the atmosphere as a byproduct of photosynthesis.