How would you identify the reactants and products in the chemical reaction below?

Question

#6CO_2 + 6H_2O -> C_6H_12O_6 + 6O_2#

3432 views around the world

You can reuse this answer
Creative Commons License

Answer 1 · 2016-09-21T07:36:25

Typically #"LHS"# #=# #"reactants"#; #"RHS"# #=# #"products"#

Of course, you have described the photosynthesis reaction, which is an endothermic reaction. From where does the energy come?

The reverse equation is clearly a combustion reaction. And this is an exothermic reaction, i.e. one that releases energy.

#C_6H_12O_6 + 6H_2O rarr 6CO_2 + 6H_2O+Delta#

So whether you call the right hand side the products or the reactants depends on whether you are a green plant.