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

Trees are mostly made out of air and water.

6 CO2 + 12 H2O + photons → C6H12O6 + 6 O2 + 6 H2O

Trees take in CO2, water and light. The use photosynthesis to create glucose and oxygen. The oxygen is released into the air. The sugar is used for the tree to grow.

They don’t use the dirt much to grow. They only take small amount of minerals from the dirt.