light
8.2 | The Light-Dependent Reactions of Photosynthesis By the end of this section, you will be able to: Explain how plants absorb energy from sunlight Describe short and long wavelengths of light Describe how and where photosynthesis takes place within a plant How can light be used to make food? When a person turns on a lamp, electrical energy becomes light energy. Like all other forms of kinetic energy, light can travel, change form, and be harnessed to do work. In the case of photosynthesis, light energy is converted into chemical energy, which photoautotrophs use to build carbohydrate molecules Figure 8.9 . However, autotrophs only use a few specific components of sunlight.