The aim of these experiments is to find the exact sugar concentration of a potato.

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Osmosis Coursework

Aim: The aim of these experiments is to find the exact sugar concentration of a potato.

Hypothesis: Osmosis is the passage of water molecules from a weaker solution into a stronger solution, through a semi permeable membrane. In this case, the tiny holes in the membrane of the potatoes will allow the water molecules to pass through in and out of the solution and the potato. So in this case, when the water concentration is lower, the water will go inside the potato, and the potato will gain weight. If there is very little different in the two water concentrations, there shouldn’t be such a big change in weight. If there is a higher concentration of water in the potato, the water will go out of the potato.

When the concentration gradient is lower in the potato, the water will transfer from the solution to the potato, and vice versa.

With the potato in molar solutions of sucrose, I don’t think there will be much change in the weight of the potato. This is because there isn’t much difference between the two substances. I believe that the weight and the size of the potato won’t be altered much.

The 0.3 molar solutions of sucrose, similar to the 0.1 molar solution of sucrose, compared to the potato, both substances have very close concentration gradients. That is why I am predicting that the weight of the potato in this experiment should be decreased by only a fraction.

The 0.5 molar solution of sucrose, I think, should make a big difference now, noting that it should be a large difference between the two concentration gradients. And there fore the weight should decrease, at least noticeable for us to notice.

The difference between the water concentration in the potato and the 0.7 molar solution of sucrose is big, and the water in the potato should be transferred from the potato, through the permeable membrane, to the solution surrounding the potato. As a result, I am sure that the weight of the potato will increase largely. Because the potato tissues are surrounded by a stronger solution, it will probably become smaller, and shrink. But because of such high molars of sucrose, the water can diffuse all the way, throughout the two substances, equalling the concentration gradient of the two substances.

My theory in this experiment is that, due to the difference in the water concentrations of the two substances, I believe that the weight of the potato will start decreasing when it is tested on 0.1 molar solutions of sucrose and greater.

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Background/Introduction: Diffusion is the flow of energy or matter from a higher concentration to a lower concentration, resulting in an even distribution. If one end of a rod is heated or electrically charged, the heat or electricity will diffuse from the hot or charged portion to the cool or uncharged portion. If the bar is made of metal, this diffusion will be rapid for heat and almost instantaneous for electricity. Diffusion of matter is general even slower. Even diffusion of one solid into another is possible.

Osmosis is the flow of one constituent of ...

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