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Question

Why does a closed can of dried seeds burst open if some water enters into it accidentally?


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Solution

Reason for the opening of a closed can of dried seeds when some water enters it:

  1. When water enters a closed container containing dried seeds, the container bursts open after a period of time because water is absorbed by the cellulose of the cell wall of the seeds due to the process of imbibition.
  2. Imbibition is the process by which living or dead plant cells in a dry or semi-dry state absorb water by the surface attraction caused by the presence of certain hygroscopic substances in the cell wall such as cellulose, hemicellulose, and pectin.
  3. The water absorbed by imbibition causes the seeds to expand and pressure is created when the imbibing seeds are held in a restricted space. It is known as the imbibition pressure.
  4. As a result of imbibition pressure, the can bursts open.

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