What process converts light energy into chemical energy?

The process that converts light energy into chemical energy is photosynthesis. During photosynthesis, plants, algae, and some bacteria capture sunlight using chlorophyll, a pigment found in their cells. This light energy is then used to convert carbon dioxide from the air and water from the soil into glucose, a type of sugar that serves as chemical energy. The overall equation of photosynthesis can be represented as:

[

6CO_2 + 6H_2O + \text{light energy} \rightarrow C_6H_{12}O_6 + 6O_2

]

In this process, oxygen is released as a byproduct, and glucose is stored for energy, allowing the plant to grow and thrive. This fundamental biological process is crucial for life on Earth as it forms the base of the food chain and helps regulate atmospheric gases.

The other processes listed do not involve the conversion of light energy into chemical energy. Respiration is the process by which organisms convert the chemical energy stored in glucose into usable energy (ATP) in the presence of oxygen. Decomposition is the breakdown of organic matter into simpler substances and generally does not involve light energy. Evaporation is the process by which liquid water transforms into water vapor and is