Here's how it works:
* Adhesion: Water molecules are attracted to other substances, like the cellulose in plant cell walls. This attraction, called adhesion, pulls the water molecules up the sides of the xylem vessels (tubes in the plant that transport water).
* Cohesion: Water molecules are also attracted to each other (cohesion). This creates surface tension and allows water molecules to form a continuous column within the xylem vessels.
* Transpiration: As water evaporates from the leaves (transpiration), it creates a negative pressure, pulling more water up from the roots through the xylem.
Together, these properties create a continuous chain of water molecules that is pulled upwards against gravity, allowing water to travel from the roots to the leaves of a plant.
