This phenomenon is known as capillary action, where water moves upward through narrow channels due to the combined forces of adhesion to the channel walls and cohesion between water molecules. This allows water to be transported through plants from the roots to the leaves.
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The pair of opposing forces that act on water moving down through the soil are gravity pulling the water downwards and capillary action which moves water upwards against gravity due to adhesion and cohesion forces in the soil pores.
This force is called capillary action.
Field capacity is the maximum amount of water that soil can hold against the force of gravity after excess water has drained away. It represents the water content in soil that is available to plants for uptake. At field capacity, the soil is typically at its optimal moisture level for plant growth.
Wind erosion is more damaging in dry conditions because the lack of moisture in the soil makes it more loose and dry, making it easier for wind to lift and transport particles. Dry conditions also reduce the cohesion and stability of soil aggregates, increasing their susceptibility to being carried away by the wind. Additionally, dry conditions reduce vegetation cover, which normally acts as a protective barrier against wind erosion.
Osmosis is the passive movement of water molecules across a semi-permeable membrane from an area of low solute concentration to an area of high solute concentration. Active transport, on the other hand, requires energy to move molecules against their concentration gradient, from an area of low concentration to an area of high concentration. This process is carried out by specific protein pumps in the cell membrane.