The balanced equation for photosynthesis is shown below. 6 co2 + 6 h2o → c6h12o6 + 6 o2 what best explains whether mass is conserved or not during photosynthesis? it is not conserved because the total number of h atoms is 6 more than the total number of c atoms. it is not conserved because the total number of o atoms is 6 more than the total number of h atoms. it is conserved because the total number of h atoms on each side is 12. it is conserved because the total number of o atoms on each side is 2.