Imagine a balloon is made from a membrane that's permeable to water but not sucrose molecules. If the balloon is filled with a 50% sucrose solution and then placed in a beaker of water, then the balloon will
A) not change in size or volume.
B) get smaller as it loses water.
C) get larger as it gains water.
D) eventually burst.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The water will move across the membrane from the beaker into the balloon, causing the balloon to increase in size and volume. As the water enters the balloon, it will dilute the concentration of sucrose inside, creating a gradient that drives more water influx. The balloon will continue to increase in size until an equilibrium is reached, where the pressure inside the balloon is equal to the pressure outside, preventing any further water influx. Therefore, the balloon will get larger as it gains water.

Imagine a Balloon Is Made from a Membrane That's Permeable