How would you identify the reactants and products in the chemical reaction below?

Question

$6CO_2 + 6H_2O -> C_6H_12O_6 + 6O_2$

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Answer 1 · 2016-09-21T07:36:25

Typically $"LHS"$ $=$ $"reactants"$ ; $"RHS"$ $=$ $"products"$

Of course, you have described the photosynthesis reaction, which is an endothermic reaction. From where does the energy come?

The reverse equation is clearly a combustion reaction. And this is an exothermic reaction, i.e. one that releases energy.

$C_6H_12O_6 + 6H_2O rarr 6CO_2 + 6H_2O+Delta$

So whether you call the right hand side the products or the reactants depends on whether you are a green plant.