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In the early 1600s, Jean-Baptiste van Helmont planted a 5-pound willow sapling in 200 pounds of soil. He let it grow for five years, giving it only water. At the end of five years, the tree weighed 169 pounds, 3 ounces, and the soil weighed 199 pounds, 14 ounces. Where did the tree get the additional weight?

1. Most of the increased weight came from nutrients in the soil.
2. Most of the increased weight came from carbon dioxide in the air.
3. Most of the increased weight came from water.
4. All of the increased weight came from carbon dioxide in the air.

Answer :

The question you're asking relates to the classic experiment conducted by Jean-Baptiste van Helmont in the early 1600s. He wanted to understand where plants get their mass as they grow. Here's a step-by-step explanation of how this works:

  1. The Experiment: Van Helmont planted a 5-pound willow sapling in 200 pounds of soil and only added water to it for five years. At the end of this period, the tree weighed 169 pounds, 3 ounces, while the soil lost negligible weight, remaining largely unchanged at 199 pounds, 14 ounces.

  2. Key Observations: The tree greatly increased in mass, while there was minimal change to the weight of the soil. This indicated that the major source of the tree's mass did not come from the soil.

  3. Conclusion on the Source of Mass: Most of the additional weight of the tree came from carbon dioxide in the air. Through the process of photosynthesis, plants take in carbon dioxide and, using the energy from sunlight, convert it into sugars like glucose. These sugars are built up into more complex carbohydrates and plant matter, contributing significantly to the plant's mass.

  4. Role of Water: Water also plays an important role. It is involved in the photosynthesis process and is necessary for transporting nutrients and maintaining cell structure, but it is not the primary source of mass gain.

  5. Correct Answer: Given this understanding, the increase in weight cannot be attributed mainly to water or nutrients from the soil. Instead, the primary source of mass comes from carbon dioxide in the air. Therefore, the correct choice is: 2. Most of the increased weight came from carbon dioxide in the air.

This experiment was foundational in understanding how plants grow and was one of the early steps leading to our modern understanding of photosynthesis.

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