Question

The beaker in the illustration below contains two solutions of salt with different concentrations (measured by molarity, M). The two solutions are separated by a membrane that is permeable to both salt and water. Which of the following will occur in this container?A. Net diffusion of water from B to A and of salt from A to B.

B. Net diffusion of salt from B to A, but no net diffusion of water.
C. Net diffusion of water from A to B and of salt from B to A.
D. No net diffusion of water or salt across the membrane.
E. Diffusion of salt across the membrane, but not of water.
F. Net diffusion of water across the membrane, but not of salt.

Answer 1

Water will move by osmosis from the region with lower solute concentration (A) to the one with higher solute concentration (B) and salt will move the opposite direction, from B to A, both through a semipermeable membrane until equilibrium is established.

Step-by-step explanation:

The beaker example involves two solutions with different salt concentrations, divided by a semipermeable membrane that allows for the movement of both salt and water. When observing such an experiment, the principle of diffusion indicates that molecules will move from high to low concentration areas. Water will thus undergo osmosis, moving down its concentration gradient to the region where it is less concentrated, which is also where the solute concentration is higher. Considering that the membrane is permeable to both salt and water, we expect water to move towards the hypertonic solution (one with higher solute concentration) to equalize concentration differences.

The correct option for what will occur in this container is: C. Net diffusion of water from A to B (from the side with lower solute concentration to the side with higher solute concentration) and of salt from B to A (from the side with higher salt concentration to the side with lower salt concentration), until equilibrium is reached, or the hydrostatic pressure counterbalances the osmotic pressure.

Answer 2

Option C

Step-by-step explanation:

Image for the question is attached here

Solution

It is given that the membrane is permeable to both salt and water.

Thus, water will form region of high concentration to the region having low salt concentration. The same applies to the movement of water molecule.

As we can see in the image, Side A has higher water concentration and side B has higher salt concentration.

Thus water will move from side A to side B and Salt will move from side B to side A.

Hence, option C is correct