Question

Swelling of wooden doors and windows during the rainy season is caused by

• A. endosmosis
• B. osmosis
• C. imbition
• D. capillarity

Answer 1

The correct option is C

imbition

The correct option is C.

Explanation of the correct option:

1. Imbition is the phenomenon in which a surface absorbs a liquid and swells.
2. It is a surface phenomenon.
3. The absorbent (wooden frame) and the liquid imbibed (water) are both required for imbibition.
4. During the rainy season, wooden doors absorb moisture and it becomes difficult to close them.

The explanation for the incorrect option:

Option A: When a cell is immersed in a hypotonic solution, the water inside the cell flows around and is defined as endosmosis.

Option B: Osmosis requires the use of a semipermeable membrane, which can be either living or nonliving.

Option D: Capillarity is the spontaneous rise or fall of liquid in a narrow area, such as a thin tube or the gaps of a porous substance.

Swelling of wooden doors and windows during the rainy season is caused by imbibition.