A beaker is divided into two compartments by a semipermeable membrane.Compartment A contains a 20% NaCl solution while compartment B contains a 50% NaCl solution.The membrane is permeable to both water and Na⁺ and Cl-.Initially,
A)Na+ and Cl- diffuse from compartment B to compartment a.
B)water diffuses from compartment B to compartment A.
C)Na+ and Cl- diffuse from compartment A to compartment B.
D)Na+ diffuses from compartment A to compartment B and Cl- diffuses from compartment B to compartment A.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

BThe process described is an example of diffusion and osmosis. In diffusion, particles move from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration until equilibrium is reached. Since compartment B has a higher concentration of Na+ and Cl- ions, they will diffuse to compartment A, where their concentrations are lower. Similarly, osmosis is the diffusion of water across a semipermeable membrane from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration. Therefore, water will move from compartment A (lower solute concentration) to compartment B (higher solute concentration) to try to equalize the solute concentrations on both sides of the membrane.

A Beaker Is Divided into Two Compartments by a Semipermeable