I just though of something.

[big b]

If you plant a seed in a pot and grow it then what does it do? It sends out roots and gets bigger right? So by doing that, the seed increases its mass. If the seed increases its mass the wouldn't there be more mass in the pot after the seed sends out roots? If that is true, then why doesn't the earth get bigger with all of the trees sending out huge roots?

[ghonk]

 

[GraphicGr8s]

Using that same reasoning then what about every time a human or an animal is birthed why doesn't the atmospheric pressure increase? Or our atmosphere increase in size? Same thing with water levels when fish are born.

[BillT]

The growing seed gains mass from two sources, using carbons from carbon dioxide (CO₂) due to photosynthesis and from other nutrients like fertilizer (potassium (K), phosphate (PO₄), and nitrate (NO₃).

There would be more mass in the pot where a plant grew from a seed, due to the carbons captured by photosynthesis. This was noticed probably in the early 1800's. The nutrients would have started in the pot (unless you added fertilizer) so there would be no change in mass.

With respect to the earth and longer time scales, eventually the plants will die and decay due to things like bacterial and fungal metabolism. Carbon dioxide (CO₂) will be released by the metabolic processes and other chemicals (former nutrients) will be returned to the ground.

[Mugwump]

[big b]

That just like blew my mind.

[BillT]

Good for contemplating the complexities of the universe.

[Mugwump]

Good for contemplating the complexities of the universe.

naw...figured that out the other night.....LOL

[big b]

Where did you learn that Bill?

[BillT]

Biology classes I would guess.

Its kind of basic ecology.
How molecules flow through different different parts of the environment. Things like the carbon cycle (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_cycle) or the nitrogen cycle (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrogen_cycle).

Also important to understanding aquarium maintenance.

[GraphicGr8s]

 Antoine Lavoisier

[BillT]

Antoine Lavoisier

Discoverer of oxygen.
Beheaded in the French revolution.

[Mugwump]

Antoine Lavoisier

Discoverer of oxygen.
Beheaded in the French revolution.

Well you know the French....??   

[LizStreithorst]

 All nations go through a crazy phase.  Remember the Crusades   Look at us.  We have Donald Trump running highest in the polls of the republicans

[BallAquatics]

Remember the Crusades  

A bit before my time, but I've read about them.....

Dennis