An example of anthropomorphism in popular science writing:
"Sunlight is an abundant source of free energy. The chlorophyll molecule in the leaves of plants uses this to unburn water – in other words, to split the H2O molecule into its constituent parts of hydrogen and oxygen. The oxygen is released into the atmosphere, leaving hydrogen on its own, within the leaves. Isolated hydrogen, of this kind, is itself now a source of free energy because it needs to rebond with oxygen or anything chemically similar to oxygen."
Paul Sen (2022) Einstein's Fridge. The science of fire, ice and the universe. William Collins.
Read examples of anthropomorphism in science
Many examples of anthropomorphism are listed in 'Creative comparisons: Making science familiar through language. An illustrative catalogue of figurative comparisons and analogies for science concepts'. Free Download.
Note: photosynthesis is a complex multi-stage process, and the details are not essential to the author's point here. Hydrogen is not released in photosynthesis and is not clear what is meant here by 'hydrogen on its own' and 'isolated hydrogen', (not the compound hydrogen which is already 'bonded') as free hydrogen atoms are not formed: so presumably H+ ions produced when the water molecules are oxidised? The notion that these ions 'needs to rebond' does make sense chemically.
As the process does not reverse the burning of hydrogen to form water, the reference to 'unburning' should be seen as a metaphor.
Read about metaphor in science
Read about examples of science metaphors
Many examples of science metaphors are listed in 'Creative comparisons: Making science familiar through language. An illustrative catalogue of figurative comparisons and analogies for science concepts'. Free Download.
