Question

If a $0.1M$ solution of glucose (mol. wt. 180) and $0.1M$ solution of urea (mol. wt. 60) are placed on the two sides of a semi-permeable membrane to equal heights, then it will be correct to say
(A) There will be no net movement across the membrane
(B) Glucose will flow across the membrane into urea solution
(C) Urea will flow across the membrane into glucose solution
(D) Water will flow from urea solution into glucose solution

Answer 1

Hint: The minimum pressure that is required to be applied to the solution to prevent the inward flow of the solvent across a semipermeable membrane is known as osmotic pressure. This process is known as osmosis. When two solutions have the same concentration, there is no net solvent flow across the semipermeable membrane. If the concentration of the solvent differs, the semi-permeable barrier allows the solvent to pass through.

Complete Step by Step Answer:
The movement of a solution across the semipermeable membrane depends upon the concentration of solute on two sides. It is given in the question that there is glucose on one side and urea on another side of a semi-permeable membrane, each having a concentration of $0.1M$. As the concentration of solute is the same on both the sides and they are at equal heights, there will be no net movement of the solutions across the membrane.
Correct Option: (A) There will be no net movement across the membrane.

Note: If the concentration of the solute on both the sides of the semipermeable membrane is equal, then it is an isotonic solution. However, in a pair of two solutions, the solution with higher osmotic pressure is called hypertonic solution and the solution with lower osmotic pressure is called hypotonic solution.