Question

The component, ${\Psi }_s$ denotes

• A. Pressure potential
• B. Gravity potential
• C. Solute potential
• D. Both A and B

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

Solute potential

The symbol psi denotes water potential. Water potential also describes the chemical potential or free energy of water. More the number of water molecules in the system, more is the free energy content, more is the chemical potential and more is the water potential. Thus, pure water has maximum water potential. The water potential of pure water has been assumed to be zero.
For a solution the water potential is calculated by addition of solute potential ${\Psi }_s$, pressure potential ${\Psi }_p$ and matrix potential ${\Psi }_m$.