Indicate the compartment (A or B) that will increase in volume for each of the following pairs of solutions separated by a semipermeable membrane:

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the concept of osmosis. Osmosis is the movement of water across a semipermeable membrane from a region of lower solute concentration to a region of higher solute concentration.
2. Step 2: Analyze the solutions provided. Compartment I contains a 3% (m/v) solution of MgCl₂, while Compartment II contains a 6% (m/v) solution of MgCl₂. The semipermeable membrane allows water to pass but not solutes.
3. Step 3: Determine the direction of water movement. Water will move from the compartment with lower solute concentration (Compartment I) to the compartment with higher solute concentration (Compartment II) to equalize the concentrations.
4. Step 4: Predict the volume change. As water moves into Compartment II, its volume will increase, while the volume of Compartment I will decrease.
5. Step 5: Conclude that Compartment II will increase in volume due to the osmotic movement of water from Compartment I to Compartment II.

Key Concepts

Osmosis

Osmosis is the movement of water across a semipermeable membrane from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration. This process continues until equilibrium is reached, meaning the concentrations on both sides of the membrane become equal. Understanding osmosis is crucial for predicting which compartment will increase in volume when two solutions with different concentrations are separated by a membrane.

Solute Concentration

Solute concentration refers to the amount of solute present in a given volume of solution. In the context of the question, the 3% (m/v) MgCl2 solution has a lower solute concentration compared to the 6% (m/v) MgCl2 solution. The difference in solute concentration drives the osmotic movement of water, leading to volume changes in the compartments.

Tonicity

Tonicity describes the relative concentration of solutes in two solutions separated by a semipermeable membrane, influencing the direction of water movement. A solution can be isotonic, hypertonic, or hypotonic relative to another. In this case, the 3% MgCl2 solution is hypotonic compared to the 6% MgCl2 solution, meaning water will move from the 3% solution to the 6% solution, resulting in an increase in volume in the latter.