Photosynthesis
Concept 2: Electromagnetic Energy
The solar energy called visible
light drives photosynthesis. Solar radiation is composed of
electromagnetic energy that travels through space in a manner
analogous to the motion of waves in water. The distance between the
crests of waves is called the wavelength.
The shorter the wavelength, the
greater the energy for each unit (photon) of electromagnetic energy.
Remember, energy cannot be created or destroyed. When light is
absorbed by a green plant, a small portion of that energy is
converted into chemical energy in the process of photosynthesis.
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