Question
INCUNDIULI•
• Define osmosis.
• Explain the particle theory of matter.
• State what is representing the selectively permeable membrane in this
experiment.
• Discuss your observation / results by:
1) Briefly stating what was observed in beaker A (distilled water). Then explain
the observations using the particle theory of matter. That is, stating the areas of
high and low concentration of water molecules and the direction of movement
of the water molecules. Then state what happened to the potato strip (in beaker
A) as a result of the movement of the water molecules.
2) Repeat step 1 above for beakers B and C respectively.
Answer
Osmosis is the movement of water molecules from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration through a selectively permeable membrane. The particle theory of matter states that all matter is made up of particles that are in constant motion. The selectively permeable membrane in this experiment is the potato strip. In beaker A (distilled water), the area of high concentration of water molecules is inside the potato strip and the area of low concentration is outside the potato strip. The water molecules move from the area of high concentration to the area of low concentration, causing the potato strip to swell. In beaker B (salt solution), the area of high concentration of water molecules is outside the potato strip and the area of low concentration is inside the potato strip. The water molecules move from the area of high concentration to the area of low concentration, causing the potato strip to shrink. In beaker C (sugar solution), the area of high concentration of water molecules is outside the potato strip and the area of low concentration is inside the potato strip. The water molecules move from the area of high concentration to the area of low concentration, causing the potato strip to shrink.