Biology · Transport
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What will happen with the addition of salt to water?
- A
Water potential will increase
- B
Water potential will not remain the same due to addition of solute, hence this option is incorrect.
- C
Osmotic potential will increase
- D
Osmotic potential will remain the same
Adding salt (solute) to water increases the osmotic potential. This is because osmotic potential is influenced by the concentration of solutes in a solution. When salt dissolves in water, it dissociates into sodium and chloride ions, increasing the total solute concentration. Consequently, this raises the osmotic potential, leading to a greater tendency for water to move toward the area of higher solute concentration to achieve equilibrium.
Adding salt to water will increase the amount of solute in the solution, therefore decreasing the water potential.
This option is incorrect.
Adding salt (solute) to water increases the osmotic potential. This is because osmotic potential is influenced by the concentration of solutes in a solution. When salt dissolves in water, it dissociates into sodium and chloride ions, increasing the total solute concentration. Consequently, this raises the osmotic potential, leading to a greater tendency for water to move toward the area of higher solute concentration to achieve equilibrium.
This option is incorrect, because osmotic potential will increase.
Tagged under Biology · Transport · 2024