How photosynthesis works. Or, how can you transform energy into matter?
In: Biology
Photosynthesis does not create energy into matter. What is does is converting carbon dioxide and water to sugar and oxygen. That process requires energy and there is where the sunlight comes in.
If you later burn the plant the fire is the same thing the other direction and it releases energy
Technical mass is created in chemical bound but you add less than a billionth of the mass that way so it can be ignored.
Photosynthesis isn’t creating matter, but [in a simplified explanation of a complex set of processes] instead it stores energy by creating chemical bonds, in doing so it takes carbon dioxide and water and combines them into carbohydrates.
It’s less energy into matter and more like cooking. In photosynthesis, you’re using light to help convert one form of matter that isn’t helpful, into one that is. You aren’t just spontaneously creating mass.
Photosynthesis is fire in reverse.
What is fire? Well, usually it’s a hydrocarbon (be that gasoline, natural gas, wood) reacting with oxygen gas in the air. The result is some carbon dioxide and water (smoke), in addition to some heat and light output. Usually a little messy with a few other things burning, and some unburt fuel (soot).
What is photosynthesis? It’s water and carbon dioxide being reacted to form a hydrocarbon (sugar). The light is an energy input.
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