What type of energy transformation occurs during photosynthesis?

During photosynthesis, light energy is converted into chemical energy. This process occurs in plants, algae, and some bacteria, where chlorophyll absorbs sunlight and utilizes that energy to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen. The glucose produced serves as a form of stored chemical energy that can be utilized by the plant for growth, development, and energy for metabolic processes. This transformation is crucial for life on Earth, as it forms the foundation of the food chain and contributes to the oxygen supply in the atmosphere.

The other energy transformations listed do not accurately describe the photosynthesis process: kinetic energy to potential energy involves the conversion of movement to stored energy, thermal energy to mechanical energy relates to converting heat into motion, and electrical energy to kinetic energy involves transforming electrical energy into motion, none of which are relevant to the fundamental mechanics of photosynthesis.