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The photosynthesis equation

Photosynthesis happens in the chloroplasts. Chlorophyll captures light, especially red and blue, and sends green back. That is why leaves are green. The carbon in glucose comes from carbon dioxide, and the oxygen that is released comes from the water. Six carbon dioxide and six water give one glucose molecule and six oxygen. If the plant makes more glucose molecules, you multiply by that number. Cellular respiration in the mitochondria is the reverse reaction and releases the energy again as ATP.

6 CO2+6 H2O→C6H12O6+6 O26\,\mathrm{CO}_2 + 6\,\mathrm{H}_2\mathrm{O} \rightarrow \mathrm{C}_6\mathrm{H}_{12}\mathrm{O}_6 + 6\,\mathrm{O}_2photosynthesis, light is included

Symbols

66CO2 per glucose
C6\mathrm{C}_6six carbons in glucose

Example

One glucose molecule needs 6 CO2.

Four glucose molecules need 6⋅4=246 \cdot 4 = 24 CO2.

The oxygen released is also six per glucose. Do not swap the products.
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Part of Biology 1: Photosynthesis and cellular respiration.