Question

What are some examples of water potential?

Answer 1

Let's define water potential first. Water potential is the force determining the water movement. Water always flows from areas of higher water potential to areas of lower water potential. One great example would be the movement of water in a tree from the roots up to the stems. The roots have a higher water potential and it decreases as you move upwards the tree, so the stems have a lower water potential.

What else affects this water movement throughout the tree?
Both pressure and solute potential will affect how water moves. However, the differences in pressure potential is the main factor in pulling water up through a tree.