A beaker is divided into two compartments by a semipermeable membrane.Compartment A contains a 20% NaCl solution and compartment B contains a 50% NaCl solution.The membrane is permeable to both water and Na⁺ and Cl-.At equilibrium,the
A)volume in compartment A will be greater than the volume in compartment B.
B)volume in compartment B will be greater than the volume in compartment A.
C)concentrations and volumes will be the same in both compartments.
D)concentration of salt is greater in compartment A than in compartment B.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Since the membrane is permeable to both water and Na⁺ and Cl⁻ ions, water will move from the compartment with lower concentration of solutes (compartment A, 20% NaCl) to the compartment with higher concentration of solutes (compartment B, 50% NaCl). As a result, the volume of compartment B will increase, while the volume of compartment A will decrease. However, this will eventually lead to an equalization of the concentration of Na⁺ and Cl⁻ ions in both compartments, as water continues to move until the concentration of Na⁺ and Cl⁻ ions are the same in both compartments. Therefore, the concentrations and volumes will be the same in both compartments.

A Beaker Is Divided into Two Compartments by a Semipermeable