How does water flow up a plant?

1 Answer
Sep 15, 2014

Odd, isn't it, that water can flow UP a tube into the top part of a plant and against gravity?

This is due to capillary action but it is happens in tiny tubes. If the water wets the sides of the tube, it will rise.

If you get a comer of a napkin wet, more will become wet because of capillary action.

If you place a wilted stalk of celery in water it will become turgid because of this action. Water is said to be "sticky" and will adhere to surfaces and to other water molecules.

Note that the smaller the tube, the higher the water will rise.

USGS

basc.pannl

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