6CO₂ + 6H₂O + light energy → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂

Here's a breakdown:

* 6CO₂: Six molecules of carbon dioxide are used as the source of carbon for the sugar.

* 6H₂O: Six molecules of water are used as the source of hydrogen and electrons.

* light energy: Sunlight provides the energy to drive the reaction.

* C₆H₁₂O₆: One molecule of glucose (a simple sugar) is produced.

* 6O₂: Six molecules of oxygen are released as a byproduct.

This reaction is actually a simplified representation of a complex process that involves two main stages:

* Light-dependent reactions: Sunlight is captured by chlorophyll and used to convert light energy into chemical energy (ATP and NADPH). Oxygen is also released as a byproduct.

* Light-independent reactions (Calvin cycle): The chemical energy from the light-dependent reactions is used to fix carbon dioxide and build glucose.

While the equation above shows the overall reaction, understanding the two stages provides a more complete picture of the intricate process of photosynthesis.