2006-10-20 04:52:19 · 13 answers · asked by C.Bhartiya 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
it is the most efficient way of making tall structures that could withstand its own weight.
ergo, with a fixed mass a cylinder is the tallest shape you can make that can stand on its own. a more stable structure would be a tapered cylinder with a wider base and narrower top. this is the shape of a tree trunk. surprised?
trees want to be tall so they can get as much unblocked sunlight as possible.
2006-10-20 05:02:22 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's wind. If just supporting the weight were the only issue, any cross section that gradually tapers in height is just as strong, more or less. There would be little advantage to making tall buildings cylindrical, for example. The tree must, however, withstand high winds which might come from any direction (in my part of the country, the strongest winds are often opposite the prevailing wind direction). That means the optimal shape is azimuthally symmetric (like a cone or cylinder), and evolution would select for that trait.
This is, of course, true of buildings too. But since the weight of a structure scales as its height H to the third power (H^3), but the wind force only scales as H^2, beyond a certain H, weight becomes the dominant issue. Also, buildings don't have branches to catch the wind.
2006-10-20 12:58:47 · answer #2 · answered by Dr. R 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm guessing that you're referring to the trunk of the tree.
I'd wager that the answer has to do with efficiency/optimization.
the outside of the tree is the part that has to endure the most... weather and crap. the tree which is exposed to the outside world needs to be made durable, and that takes resources. So a tree would want to use as little resources as possible to protect as much as possible. right?
Calculus of variations tells us that the 2-dimentional shape with the greatest Internal volume (area) and the least external area (circumference) is a circle.
so a tree trunk is cylindrical because a cylinder is the best kind of shape to do what it does and also be economical on resources.
this answer makes sense to me, but i am not a botanist.
2006-10-20 22:31:04 · answer #3 · answered by BenTippett 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Your cylindrical refers stem of a plant.
Roots collect water & minarels from earth, send them to leaves to prepare starch photo synthesis ( CO2 and sun light).
The tubes are round in shape as the circle is the easy formation with minimum force.
In trees stems form trunk which is cylindrical in shape - a Natural phenomenon..
2006-10-20 12:16:02 · answer #4 · answered by Kuppu S 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Trees develop such shapes in order to maximise their surface area to receive maximum Sun light which helps photo-synthesis, the basic process for plant survival and growth.
2006-10-20 13:37:51 · answer #5 · answered by openpsychy 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Not all trees are cylindrical in shape!
coniferous trees in snowy areas are conical as it helps in shedding the snow off their leaves.
Some trees are bulky like banyan tree.
2006-10-20 12:03:25 · answer #6 · answered by lovingnitin 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Its the best way that all the parts of the leafy top of a tree can reach the sunlight.
2006-10-20 12:21:16 · answer #7 · answered by Kat W 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Did you ever wonder why pine trees look like upside down ice cream cones?
2006-10-20 12:06:50 · answer #8 · answered by Brite Tiger 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I believe it has to do with the cell structure of the wood. If you were to take a slice of wood and look at it under a microscope, you would see that the cells are round.
2006-10-20 12:03:19 · answer #9 · answered by bill blasphemy 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
why is the sky so high???
why is the sea so deep???
why is the desert so sandy???
why is your nose betn your eyes???...
your ans lies in the ans to these questions........
gud luck findin out, dude!!!
2006-10-20 14:05:14 · answer #10 · answered by yusuke 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋