Here's how it works:

* Carbon dioxide: This is absorbed from the air through tiny openings on leaves called stomata.

* Water: This is absorbed from the soil through the plant's roots.

In the presence of sunlight, the plant uses these two substances to produce glucose (sugar) and oxygen. The glucose is used as food for the plant, and the oxygen is released into the atmosphere.

Here's a simple equation for photosynthesis:

CO2 + H2O + sunlight --> C6H12O6 + O2

(Carbon dioxide + Water + sunlight --> Glucose + Oxygen)