How is photosynthesis an example of an oxidation-reduction reaction?

Question

8554 views around the world

You can reuse this answer
Creative Commons License

Answer 1 · 2017-10-21T17:31:49

Well, carbon dioxide is REDUCED to glucose......

#6CO_2(g) +24H^+ +24e^(-) rarr C_6H_12O_6(aq) +6H_2O(l)#

Here we go from #C(+IV)# to #C(0)#

And water is OXIDIZED to dioxygen gas.....

#H_2O(l) rarr 1/2O_2 + 2H^(+) + 2e^(-)#

Here we go from #O(-II)# to #O(0)#

And so we add ONE of the former reaction, to TWELVE of the latter reactions....in order to remove the electrons.....

#cancel(12)6H_2O(l) +6CO_2(g) +cancel(24H^+) +cancel(24e^(-))rarr C_6H_12O_6(aq) +cancel(6H_2O(l))+6O_2 + cancel(24H^(+)) + cancel(24e^(-))#

To give finally.....

#6CO_2(g) +6H_2O(l)stackrel(hnu)rarr C_6H_12O_6(aq) +6O_2(g)#

And this reaction is ENDOTHERMIC (and this is reasonable, because we break STRONG #C=O# and #H-O# bonds). What do you think supplies the energy?