What is the maximum height water can rise in xylem channels due to capillarity?

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SUMMARY

The maximum height water can rise in xylem channels due to capillarity is calculated using the formula hmax = 2δ/(density)(g)(r). In this case, the surface tension (δ) is 0.073 N/m, and the radius (r) of the xylem cells is 3.335 x 10-6 m. The density of water is a standard value, approximately 1000 kg/m3, which is essential for accurate calculations. This formula allows for determining the capillary rise in plant xylem effectively.

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Homework Statement



Water is transported upward in a plant through xylem tissue, which consists of cells of 1 mm length and a diameter of 335 µm. The xylem cells are attached to each other to form a channel. To what maximum height can water rise in these xylem channels due to capillarity?

Homework Equations



How do you do this problem with the lack of information? How do you find density?

The Attempt at a Solution


hmax=2δ/(density)(g)(r)

δ=0.073
r=3.335X10-6 / 2
 
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The density of water? That's a pretty standard number which can be found in most physics textbooks. It can even be found on the internet. I heard that the density of water is even a standard in the metric system.
 

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