Trees are able to shift water from their root level to their leaves and fruits by a physical phenomenon known as osmosis. This phenomenon can be observed by immersing a capillary tube into a vessel full of water. It can be seen that water level in the tube rises above the level of the water in the vessel. Thinner the capillary tube, the higher level of the water above the water in the vessel. Therefore, it should be possible to shift water to a higher level if we had very thin, long and flexible capillary tubes which can be bundled together in great numbers, so that the water lifted is substantial. One end of the bundle can be dipped into a water source and the other end brought to a higher level. Is there a flaw in this idea? If it works, we would be generating potential energy from nothing! It seems impossible as it violates the physical law of "conservation of energy", but I cannot see the flaw in it? I am sure somebody out there should be able to point out the flaw.
2007-03-13 06:26:23 · 9 answers · asked by East Ender 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
You're talking about capillary action, which has nothing to do with osmosis. Water rises in a capillary tube because of adhesion to the sides of the tube. But it can't be used as a pump. It doesn't flow out of the top of the tube because there is no mechanism to lift it higher than the tube.
2007-03-13 17:02:55 · answer #1 · answered by Frank N 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Osmosis is only a small part of the story. Water is transported up the plant or tree by the process known as Transpiration. Basically water is absorbed into the roots by osmosis but is transported up the plant in a continual column by the combined effects of capilarity and the effect of suction caused by water loss at the leaves (water being used in the process of photosynthesis).
This isn't an energy-free system because the plant has to build the vessels that transport the water, and support them and the weight of water they contain, and grow the leaves and produce the photosynthetic compounds that draw the water up. This is easily demonstrated by the fact that a dead tree may have all the "tubing" still in place but water does not rise up through the tree.
see>>> http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/biology/greenplantsasorganisms/1watertransportrev2.shtml
2007-03-13 06:43:46 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
The flaws here are as follows:
1. Capillary action can transport only a small amount of water, therefore it is not possible to achieve economic viability.
2. Transpiration (suction caused within plant xylem/phloem) due to evaporation of moisture from leaves is also responsible for the movement of water up a plant. This needs energy to evaporate the moisture (which in the case of plants is provided by the sun). To artificially reproduce this effect, the energy expended is more than the suction gained. This is why it is not feasible to do this, though it is very much possible.
2007-03-13 21:29:14 · answer #3 · answered by RaviAsrani 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Osmosis is not a free lunch. A tree creates sugars, and it is the osmotic pressure of the sugar solution that causes the sap to rise. Work is required to maintain the sugar concentration so that the flow can continue -- the osmotic flow tries to dilute it. The energy, of course, comes from photosynthesis.
2007-03-13 06:36:02 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A glass capillary tube 0.5 mm in diameter will lift a theoretical 2.8 cm column of water, so you wouldn't be able to shift much water.
Sorry dude.
2007-03-13 06:31:56 · answer #5 · answered by mark 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
of path, exceedingly in case you suspect and in case you have the prospect to make stable replace around you - what a appealing present Allah has given to you! Its only like Aisha (r.a), she grow to be fairly knowledgeable, as knowledgeable as scholars and she or he grow to be the main cherished of prophet Muhammad (observed) better halves. yet only be effective you do this with truthful intentions for Allah, and not for any variety of compliment or glory you would be able to get as a pacesetter. would Allah instruction manual you and enhance you on your experience. Salam. edit: of path you may get a school degree, I studied for 3 years and those days graduated. whether i did no longer learn drugs, or to grow to be a instructor or something like that (I studied trend and textiles), and that i'm extra appropriate for it! I learnt some lot of social and environmental subjects, that I likely would not have learnt if I had no longer studied. no longer understanding, could have meant lack of expertise, and as you know, Islam teaches that lack of expertise is a adverse situation. preparation counteracts lack of expertise, with it comes know-how, and once you have know-how you have the skill to make the only right suited judgements!
2016-09-30 21:03:52 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have often wondered about capilliary action as a source of renewable, clean energy, but unfortunately I have no grasp of physics with which to explain my idea, which it seems you have- please email me if you find any good answers!
2007-03-13 06:33:48 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
does this not happen due to the air pressure?
2007-03-13 06:30:10 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
No.
2007-03-13 06:51:11 · answer #9 · answered by ag_iitkgp 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋