Question

A wooden peg inserted in a rock causes its breaking during the rainy season. It is due to development of

• A. Turgor pressure
• B. Osmotic pressure
• C. Matric pressure
• D. Plasmolysis

Answer 1

The correct option is C Matric pressure

The absorption of water by the solid particles of an adsorbent increases its volume and does not form a solution. This process is called imbibition. The swelled imbibant (i.e., the solid substances or adsorbents which take part in imbibition e.g., seeds, dry wood.) also develops a pressure called imbibition pressure, which is also called as matric pressure.

So, wooden pegs which were inserted in rocks and got wet during the rainy season developed huge imbibition pressure that broke the rocks into pieces.

Thus, the correct answer is option (C).