Question

Two chambers, A and B, containing solutions are separated by a semipermeable membrane.

(e) At equilibrium which chamber will have lower water potential?

Answer 1

1) Water potential, denoted by Ѱ, is the difference between the potential energy of pure water and a given water sample. Equilibrium is a balanced condition when the conditions/ free energy of both the systems are same, resulting in a stable state.

2) Osmosis continues till a difference in the water potential among two systems is retained. At equilibrium (balanced condition), the water potential is the same in both the chambers.