Question

After thoroughly reviewing the physical process of capillary action and surface tension and viscosity, write a thoughtful, complete, but concise response to the following:

Explain how capillary action is used to transport water and nutrients in trees.

Explain how surface tension and viscosity are used to transport water and nutrients in trees.

Answer 1

capillary action is exploited by plants since they force their viscossity and adhesion properties of water in ta "tube" filled material.

This not only favoudrs a decrease in energy consumption via transport of material via liquid capillary action, but also is an effective, passive way to move nutrients in soluble water/aquous solutions.

b)

surface tension and viscosity are properties which help to favour capillary action

if the fluid is viscous enough, it will be able to "attrach" to the walls of the tube

if it were not so viscous, it will never attach and form miniscus in the tube-like material

Surfce tension helps to avoid to "break" the tension in the top of droplets...