Question

A cell is in a equilibrium with its surrounding at 30 degrees Celsius. The molarity of surrounding sucrose solution is 0.5m. Calculate the solute potential of the surrounding solution

Answer 1

Solute potential of a solution is calculated using the formula,

Ψ$_{s}=-(iCRT)$

Where,

Ψ$_{s}$is the solute potential of the solution,

i is the degree to which the solute ionizes(ionization constant) in solution = 1, as sucrose is a nonelectrolyte.

C is the concentration of the solution in molarity = 0.5 M

R is the gas constant or the pressure constant = 0.0831 L.bar/(mol.K)

T is the temperature in Kelvin scale = $30^{0}+273 =303 K$

Calculating the solute potential of the surrounding sucrose solution:

Ψ$_{s}=-(iCRT)$

              = -(1 * 0.5 M * (0.0831 L.bar/(mol.K))* 303 K)

              = 12.6 bar

Therefore, the solute potential of the surrounding solution is 12.6 bar