In a system where a semipermeable membrane separates two solutions, one with a higher concentration of H+ ions and one with a lower concentration, which direction will H+ ions diffuse due to osmosis?

• A. From the region of lower H+ concentration to the region of higher H+ concentration
• B. H+ ions will diffuse in both directions equally
• C. No net movement of H+ ions will occur
• D. From the region of higher H+ concentration to the region of lower H+ concentration

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that osmosis specifically refers to the movement of solvent molecules (usually water) through a semipermeable membrane from a region of lower solute concentration to a region of higher solute concentration.
2. Recognize that ion diffusion, such as H+ ions, is governed by concentration gradients and moves from a region of higher concentration to a region of lower concentration, independent of osmosis.
3. Identify that in this problem, the semipermeable membrane allows selective passage, and the H+ ions will tend to move down their concentration gradient, which means from higher to lower H+ concentration.
4. Note that the movement of H+ ions is a diffusion process, not osmosis, so the direction of H+ ion movement is from the region of higher concentration to the region of lower concentration.
5. Conclude that the correct understanding is that H+ ions diffuse from the region of higher H+ concentration to the region of lower H+ concentration, consistent with the principles of diffusion.