C1.3.1—Light energy → chemical energy
Photosynthesis captures light with pigments and converts it into chemical energy stored temporarily in ATP and ultimately in organic molecules.
- Syllabus
- First assessment 2025
- Objective
- C1.3.1
- Level
- SL
Exam analysis
Chance of appearing7%of analysed past papers
Latest appearanceMay 2022
Most common paperPaper2
Typical marks1–6
Common command terms
- Identify
- State
- Outline
- Describe
- Explain
- Distinguish
Recent exam appearances
May 2022Paper2 ["SL"] · TZ16(b)[ 5 ]C1.3.1—Light energy → chemical energy
May 2021Paper2 ["SL"] · TZ12(a)(i)[ 1 ]C1.3.1—Light energy → chemical energy
November 2020Paper2 ["SL"] · TZ05(b)[ 5 ]C1.3.1—Light energy → chemical energy
May 2019Paper2 ["SL"] · TZ18(c)[ 7 ]C1.3.1—Light energy → chemical energy
November 2018Paper3 ["SL"] · TZ01(b)(ii)[ 1 ]C1.3.1—Light energy → chemical energy
Practice this objective
Coverage 2010–2022 · Updated 15 Jul 2026
Concept essentials
- Chlorophyll and other pigments absorb light energy inside chloroplasts.
- Light energy is converted into chemical energy during photosynthesis.
- ATP and reducing power connect light capture to carbon compound formation.
- Photosynthesis produces organic molecules that store usable chemical energy.