3. What is a tree growing from the energy it receives from the sun doing?

a) It is taking advantage of energy flowing from low to high.

b) It is taking advantage of energy flowing high to low.

c) It is in violation of the law of the second law of thermodynamics.

The correct answer is B.

The energy from the Sun flows down towards the plant, which absorbs it. The Solar energy is used by the plants to produce energy by the process of photosynthesis. Plants use the energy they generate by the process of photosynthesis to grow.

Second law of thermodynamics predicts that no process, which would result in the reduction of entropy of the system, can occur on its own,. Entropy is the measure of disorder present in the system. In every process, the net disorder of a system always increases.

Though it may seem that the disorderly energy from the Sun is converted to orderly structures such as leaves, flowers, and so on, it is not a violation of second law of thermodynamics. This is because, energy in the form of heat is given out during the process of photosynthesis. and also, a very small percentage - less than 30% of the incident solar energy is used in conversion into useful forms by plants. The net entropy of the system which comprises of the plant and its surroundings, during the growth of the plant always increases

Thus, the plants make use of the flow of Solar energy from high to low, to grow and the process of growth is not a violation of the Second law of thermodynamics.

B. is the best answer.