Which technique is involved in the process of reverse osmosis?

• A. Applying pressure greater than the osmotic pressure to a solution
• B. Heating the solution to evaporate the solvent
• C. Adding solute to increase osmotic pressure
• D. Using a catalyst to speed up osmosis

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of osmosis: Osmosis is the natural movement of solvent molecules through a semipermeable membrane from a region of lower solute concentration to a region of higher solute concentration.
2. Define osmotic pressure: Osmotic pressure is the pressure required to stop the flow of solvent molecules through the membrane during osmosis.
3. Recognize that reverse osmosis involves reversing the natural flow of solvent: This means forcing solvent molecules to move from a region of higher solute concentration to lower solute concentration, opposite to normal osmosis.
4. Identify the technique used in reverse osmosis: Applying an external pressure greater than the osmotic pressure to the solution forces the solvent to move against its natural direction through the membrane.
5. Eliminate other options: Heating to evaporate solvent, adding solute to increase osmotic pressure, or using a catalyst to speed up osmosis are not involved in reverse osmosis.