Question

Write a paragraph explaining how adhesion, cohesion, and capillary action all enable water to go from the roots to the top of a tall tree.

Answer 1

Water movement from the roots to the top of a tall tree is facilitated by a combination of adhesion, cohesion, and capillary action. Cohesion refers to the attractive forces between water molecules, which allow them to stick together and create a continuous column of water in the plant's xylem vessels. Adhesion, on the other hand, describes the attraction between water molecules and the walls of the xylem, helping to counteract the force of gravity as water ascends. Capillary action harnesses both of these properties, allowing water to move upward through narrow spaces in the xylem due to the combination of adhesion to the vessel walls and cohesion among the water molecules. Together, these processes efficiently transport water, along with vital nutrients, from the roots deep in the ground all the way to the leaves at the tree's highest points.