Chemistry Forums for Students => High School Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: Wil" on March 08, 2008, 11:05:17 PM
Title: osmosis
Post by: Wil" on March 08, 2008, 11:05:17 PM
I would like to clarify my understanding in osmosis.... Osmosis refers to the transport of solvent from a dilute solution to a concentrated solution through a semi-permeable membrane.
Consider the following situation. 1) There is 1M of solution A made up by 3dm3 of solvent, and there is a 2M of solution B made up by 1dm3 of solvent. So which direction will the solvent flow?? from A to B or vice versa??
2)If now solution A and B are in same concentration, but A is dissolved in 3dm3 of solvent and B is dissolved in 4dm3 of solvent, what'll be the direction of the solvent flow?
So in osmosis...it's the concentration of the solution or the amount of the solvent determines the direction of the flow of the solvent??
Title: Re: osmosis
Post by: ARGOS++ on March 08, 2008, 11:17:37 PM
Dear Will”;
“Every” Solution trends to get as diluted as possible. (That should answer your question.)
Maybe it can be of help with some add. Links on: "Osmotic Pressure (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osmotic_pressure)”
Good Luck! ARGOS++
Title: Re: osmosis
Post by: Arkcon on March 08, 2008, 11:37:41 PM
My college biophysics professor explained it to us this way. You have a large glass container, with an air proof seal. Sealed inside are two open beakers, one with 100 ml of a 1 M solution of NaCl and another with 100 ml of a 2 M solution. What happens over time, as water evaporates and condenses? Eventually, he gradually coxed the conclusion out of us, that the two vessels would reach an equilibrium with the same conc. of NaCl, and by extension, less water in the first and more water in the second. The semi-permeable membrane just allows them to be in contact while that happens.
Title: Re: osmosis
Post by: Borek on March 09, 2008, 05:25:20 AM
In short - osmosis works to make osmotic pressure on both sides identical.
Title: Re: osmosis
Post by: ARGOS++ on March 09, 2008, 03:49:00 PM
Dear Mr. Borek;
Can this not be even more shorted, as in real live?: