Question

A container is divided into two compartments by a membrane that is fully permeable to water and small ions. Water is added to one side of the membrane (side A), and a 5% solution of sodium chloride (NaCl) is added to the other (side B). In which direction will water molecules move? In which direction will sodium and chloride ions move? When the concentration is equal on both sides, will diffusion stop?

Answer 1

Water molecules will move from side A to side B, and sodium and chloride ions will move from side B to side A. Diffusion will stop when the concentration is equal on both sides.

Step-by-step explanation:

Osmosis is a special case of diffusion where water moves from an area of high concentration to one of low concentration. In this scenario, water molecules will move from side A, where only water is present, to side B, where a 5% solution of sodium chloride is present. The sodium and chloride ions will also move from side B to side A.

When the concentration is equal on both sides, diffusion will stop. At this point, the water molecules and ions will be distributed evenly on both sides of the membrane.