Leaves trap energy from the sun through a process called photosynthesis. Here's how it works:

1. Chlorophyll: Leaves contain a green pigment called chlorophyll. Chlorophyll absorbs light energy from the sun, primarily in the red and blue wavelengths.

2. Sunlight Absorption: When sunlight hits a leaf, the chlorophyll molecules absorb the light energy.

3. Water and Carbon Dioxide: The plant takes in water from the roots and carbon dioxide from the air through tiny pores called stomata on the underside of the leaves.

4. Chemical Reactions: The absorbed light energy is used to power a series of chemical reactions within the chloroplasts, the organelles where photosynthesis takes place.

5. Glucose and Oxygen: During these reactions, water and carbon dioxide are converted into glucose (a sugar) and oxygen. Glucose is a source of energy for the plant, and oxygen is released into the atmosphere.

Here's a simplified equation for photosynthesis:

Sunlight + Water + Carbon Dioxide → Glucose + Oxygen

In summary, leaves use chlorophyll to capture sunlight energy and transform it into chemical energy in the form of glucose, which the plant can use for growth and other life processes.