Photosynthesis is the process by which plants, algae and some bacteria use sunlight, carbon dioxide and water to produce oxygen and energy in the form of glucose. The general equation for photosynthesis is: 6CO2 + 6H2O + Light energy → C6H12O6 + 6O2. This equation shows that carbon dioxide and water are used to produce glucose and oxygen through the process of photosynthesis with the help of light energy from the sun.