High School

For the following examples, state the direction in which water molecules will move by osmosis:

A) -600 kPa to -400 kPa

B) -200 kPa to -600 kPa

C) -300 kPa to -300 kPa

Answer :

Final answer:

Osmosis is the movement of water molecules from an area of high water potential to an area of low water potential across a semi-permeable membrane. In examples A and B, water will move from areas of high solute concentration to areas of low solute concentration. In example C, there will be no net movement of water as the solute concentrations are equal on both sides.

Explanation:

Osmosis is the movement of water molecules from an area of high water potential (low solute concentration) to an area of low water potential (high solute concentration) across a semi-permeable membrane. Based on the given examples:

  1. In example A (-600kPa -400kPa), water will move from left to right because the concentration of solute is higher on the left side.
  2. In example B (-200kPa -600kPa), water will move from right to left because the concentration of solute is higher on the right side.
  3. In example C (-300kPa -300kPa), there will be no net movement of water as the solute concentration is equal on both sides.

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