Question about osmosis and osmotic pressure

[FunkyDwarf]

Hey

Was making up some chem notes (mid semester study break, thought id better actually do some) and came across osmosis. Now my understanding of this is that you have two solutions separated by a membrane that let's the solvent pass but not the solute. What i don't get is why the solvent goes from high concentration (of solute i assume) to low, surely that actually increases and furthere unequalises the concentration instead of restoring it?

Cheers
-G

 

[Bystander]

Hey

Was making up some chem notes (mid semester study break, thought id better actually do some) and came across osmosis. Now my understanding of this is that you have two solutions separated by a membrane that let's the solvent pass but not the solute. What i don't get is why the solvent goes from high concentration (of solute i assume)

Wrong assumption. Since there are only two possible assumptions --- would you like to guess again?

to low, surely that actually increases and furthere unequalises the concentration instead of restoring it?

Cheers
-G

 

[FunkyDwarf]

ok so youre saying in terms of the concentration of the solvent it moves from high to low and thus vice versa for solute?

 

[Bystander]

"... and thus vice versa ..." Use that on an exam, and expect to get gigged more often than not; that statement suggests that solute moves. Go ahead and write it out, "Solvent moves from the solution with lower solute concentration through the membrane to the solution with higher solute concentration."