Final answer:
Water moves from a hypotonic solution to a hypertonic solution across a selectively permeable membrane via osmosis, until equilibrium is reached and no net flow of water is observed.
Step-by-step explanation:
When two solutions are separated by a selectively permeable membrane that allows water but prevents the passage of urea, osmosis occurs. Osmosis is the diffusion of water through a semipermeable membrane down its concentration gradient.
In this case, water molecules will move from the hypotonic solution (higher water concentration) to the hypertonic solution (lower water concentration) across the membrane. The water will continue to flow until the two solutions reach an isotonic state, meaning the concentrations on both sides become equal, and equilibrium is achieved.
This will also be evident when the osmotic pressure, caused by the difference in water levels or concentrations, balances out, preventing further net flow of water.
Osmosis is the process by which water molecules move across a selectively permeable membrane from an area of higher water concentration to an area of lower water concentration. In the scenario you described, the selectively permeable membrane allows water to pass through freely but prevents the passage of urea.
Before equilibrium is reached, water molecules will continue to move from the side with higher water concentration to the side with lower water concentration until both solutions have equalized in terms of water concentration.