When a tree grows, where does the mass for its trunk and branches come from? How does the mass and stuff get to the top to make new tree parts?

Question

Physics has the conservation of mass right? … And … Things like trees sit in the ground. Where do they get the mass to grow tall? How do they move it up their trunk? How do really old trees get more dirt when they make it into trunks?

In: Biology

Answer 1

This is the best ELI5 explanation provided by Nobel award winning physicist Dr.Richard Feynman to this question https://youtu.be/ifk6iuLQk28
If you do have the time watchthe entire interview it’s an entire sequence of some of the best questions answered in an ELI5 fashion.