In this article we shall discuss about osmotic pressure example. Osmosis refers to the movement of molecules from an area of higher concentration to lower concentration.
The movement takes place through a semi permeable membrane. This membrane divides the areas of higher concentration and lower concentration. In this article we shall discuss about notable features of osmosis and then discuss about osmotic pressure and its examples.
- Transportation of nutrients in trees
- Perspiration
- Absorption of nutrients from soil
- Absorption of water in resin
- Oxygen transfer to blood
- Potato in sugar solution
- Fish absorb water through skin and gills
- Red blood cells placed in freshwater
- Sugar on strawberries
- Food on preservation
- Absorption of digestive food in large and small intestines-
- Contact lens-induced dry eye
- Water purification
What is osmosis?
Osmosis refers to transfer of molecules through a semi permeable membrane from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration.
Osmosis can take place in many areas including the cells of our body. The transfer of molecules take place until concentrations at both places become equal. There are many types of osmosis and osmosis solutions, we will discuss about those types in the next section.
Image credits: OpenStax, 0307 Osmosis, CC BY 4.0
Types of osmosis solutions
Osmosis solutions are of three types. They are given in the list below-
- Isotonic solution- Isotonic solution is that solution in which the concentration of solutes is same both outside and inside the cell.
- Hypertonic solution– A hypertonic solution is that solution in which the solute concentration is higher outside than inside.
- Hypotonic solution – A hypotonic solution has higher concentration of solute on the inside than outside.
Types of Osmosis
Osmosis is divided into two types. The two types are discussed In the section below-
- Endosmosis– When we place a substance in hypotonic solution, the molecules of solvent will move inside the cell making the cell turgid. We can say that it undergoes deplasmolysis. This type of molecule transfer is called as endosmosis.
- Exosmosis– When a substance is placed in hypertonic solution, the molecules of solvent will move outside the cell making it flaccid and inflexible. We can say that it undergoes plasmolysis. This type of molecule transfer is called as exosmosis.
What is osmotic pressure?
The molecule transfer through the membrane is spontaneous. That is the molecules will transfer on their own by the virtue of concentration difference between the two areas.
To stop this molecule transfer, a certain of pressure is needed. This pressure is called as osmotic pressure. The osmotic pressure can be determined by concentration of solute. The only way to stop diffusion other than applying osmotic pressure is by making the concentrations at both places equal.
Osmotic pressure formula
In above section, we discussed that to find osmotic pressure, we use the value of solute concentration. The formula to calculate osmotic pressure is given below-
Where,
Pi is the osmotic pressure,
M is the molar concentration of solute
R is the gas constant
T is the temperature at which the molecule transfer is taking place
Osmotic pressure examples
The examples of osmotic pressure are given in the list below-
Transport of nutrients in trees
The transport of nutrients from roots to other branches of tree takes place through osmosis. The concentration of nutrients or water is higher at the bottom or roots. The water is transported to other branches where the concentration is lower.
Perspiration
Perspiration in human beings takes place to keep the body cool when it is exercising or getting exposed to heat. The salty water comes out from the body through tiny pores present in our skin.
Absorption of nutrients from soil
The nutrients are absorbed by the roots through osmosis. The concentration of nutrients is high in the soil. This is why it is recommended to add fertilizers to soil so that the soil remains nutrients rich which will eventually promote growth of plant.
Absorption of water in resin
When we dip resins in water, the resin swells up after a certain period of time. This happens due to the fact that higher amount of sugar is present inside resins. So the water rushes inside the resin.
Oxygen transfer to blood
Oxygen transfer to blood is done by the process of diffusion or osmosis. The cells have a semi permeable membrane through which the transfer of oxygen takes place.
Potato in sugar solution
When we put potato in sugar solution, the size of potato reduces because the concentration of water in potato is higher than in the sugar solution. So the water rushes out of potato making it smaller in size.
Fish absorb water through skin and gills
Fishes absorb water or oxygen from water through their skin and gills. They are semi permeable membranes through which the transfer of water molecules take place.
Red blood cells placed in freshwater
The red blood cells have a semi permeable membrane through which molecule transfer can take place. Red blood cells are rich ions and when places in water these cells get swollen due to the fact that water molecules start entering the red blood cells.
Sugar on strawberries
When we sprinkle sugar on strawberries, the outer membrane of strawberry will act as a semi permeable membrane so the water moves to the outer surface of the strawberry. This happens because of the fact that interior has natural sugar and water in it.
Food preservation
Food preservation is direct application of osmosis. The food becomes rich in sugar, vinegar, preservative oils when the food (for example pickle) is placed inside a jar containing these preservatives.
Absorption of digestive food in large and small intestines
The food when reaches to intestines, it is turned into a thick semi fluid called as chyme. When this thick semi fluid or chyme moves in to small intestine, osmosis takes place.
Contact lens-induced dry eye
When we keep lenses in water they are soft and have moisture in it and when we put it on our eye, it absorbs moisture from the eye via osmosis.
Water purification
The water purifiers use the process of reverse osmosis to filter the water from impurities and unwanted minerals. In the process of reverse osmosis, a pressure greater than the osmotic pressure is applied because of which the separation of solute on one side and solvent on the other side takes place. Here the impurities are the solute and solvent is the water.
Also Read:
- Pressure in dynamic equilibrium
- Partial pressure example 2
- Negative pressure example
- Dew point and pressure
- Ocean pressure example
- Vapor pressure example
- Absolute pressure example
- Relative pressure example
- Freezing point and vapour pressure
- Melting point and pressure
Hi ….I am Abhishek Khambhata, have pursued B. Tech in Mechanical Engineering. Throughout four years of my engineering, I have designed and flown unmanned aerial vehicles. My forte is fluid mechanics and thermal engineering. My fourth-year project was based on the performance enhancement of unmanned aerial vehicles using solar technology. I would like to connect with like-minded people.