Final answer:
Reverse osmosis is primarily used to purify water, notably for the desalination of seawater to provide fresh drinking water in areas with limited freshwater supplies. It works by applying pressure to force water through a semipermeable membrane, leaving impurities behind.
Step-by-step explanation:
What is Reverse Osmosis Used For?
Reverse osmosis (RO) is a water purification process that uses a semipermeable membrane to remove dissolved salts and impurities from water. In this process, water is forced through the membrane by applying pressure that is greater than the osmotic pressure of the more concentrated solution. This effectively allows pure water to pass through while leaving behind the dissolved solids, such as salts. RO is commonly used for purposes like desalination of seawater, making it a crucial technology for producing fresh drinking water in areas with limited natural freshwater resources. Additionally, reverse osmosis units can be found in various scales, including large desalination plants, smaller units for household use, and portable versions for field use by military forces or in emergency situations.
Desalination, in particular, is an important application of reverse osmosis, providing a substantial amount of freshwater in regions such as the Middle East and southern California, where fresh water is scarce. Besides desalination, reverse osmosis is employed in other applications that require the production of pure water, such as in certain manufacturing processes and the treatment of water in households and grocery stores.