Question

Two chambers, A and B, containing solutions are separated by a semipermeable membrane.
(b) Solution of which chamber has a lower solute potential?

Answer 1

1) Solute potential is also termed as osmotic potential. It is the pressure that has to be applied to a solution so that the inward flow of the solvent (water) from a system containing pure water is prevented across a semipermeable membrane. The water potential of pure water is 0 at standard conditions of temperature and pressure. As the number of solute molecules increases, the reduction in water potential is more. Thus the solute potential becomes more negative and the value decreases.

2) As the number of solute molecules increases, the solute potential decreases. Hence, chamber B has a lower solute potential as it has more solute molecules than chamber A.