Question

Osmotic potential of pure water under standard pressure and temperature is

• A. one
• B. zero
• C. less than zero
• D. between zero and one

Answer 1

The correct option is B zero

The magnitude of decrease of water potential with respect to that of pure water due to the dissolution of a solute is called osmotic potential or solute potential. Pure water contains no solutes and thus, there is no decrease in water potential. Therefore, the osmotic potential of pure water is zero.