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Water potential () =
pressure potential (p )
+ solute potential (s)
(osmotic)
This is an open
container, so the p = 0
This makes the = s
The s =-0.23, so is
-0.23MPa, and water
moves into the
solution.
Can a solution with a molarity of 0.2 be in equilibrium
with a solution with a molarity of 0.4?
YES!
Pressure
Two solutions will be at equilibrium when the water
potential is the same in both solutions. This does not
mean that their solute concentrations must be the
same, because in plant cells the pressure exerted by
the rigid cell wall is a significant factor in determining
the net movement of water.
Solute (osmotic) potential (s )= iCRT
i = The number of particles the molecule will make in water; for
NaCl this would be 2; for sucrose or glucose, this number is 1
C = Molar concentration Yikes, what's that??????
R = Pressure constant = 0.0831 liter bar/mole K
T = Temperature in degrees Kelvin (273 + C) of solution
Example Problem:
The molar concentration of a sugar solution in an open beaker
has been determined to be 0.3M. Calculate the solute potential
at 27C degrees. Round your answer to the nearest hundredth.
What is the water potential?
Answer: -7.48
Solute potential = -iCRT
= -(1) (0.3 mole/1) (0.0831 liter bar/mole K) (300
K)
= -7.48 bar
Water potential = -7.48 + 0, so water potential = -7.48
Lets Take a
class quiz!!
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So, we can now define osmosis as the
movement of water molecules from a
region of higher water potential to a
region of lower water potential through
a semi-permeable membrane.
Molarity
Another way of expressing
concentration, the way that we will
use most in this course, is called
molarity. Molarity is the number of
moles of solute dissolved in one liter
of solution. The units, therefore are
moles per liter, specifically it's
moles of solute per liter of solution.
Be very careful to molarity =
moles of solute
liter of solution
distinguish between moles
and molarity.
1 mole NaCl
2.5 g NaCl x = 0.0427 mole
58.5 g NaCl
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Potential Discussion