Question

Suppose that while the reverse osmosis system is running tank B becomes contaminated with salt water such that it ends up with a higher salt concentration than tank A. What would happen if the reverse osmosis system was turned off?A) There would be a net flow of water from tank A to tank B.B) There would be a net flow of water from tank B to tank A.C) Water would flow in equal amounts in both directions.

Answer 1

Answer:

The correct answer is: A) There would be a net flow of water from tank A to tank B.

Explanation:

• Osmosis can be defined as the process by which molecules of a substance (water) tend to move from a region where its concentration is high to a region where is concentration is low across a semi-permeable membrane.
• The force which causes this movement is called the Osmotic Pressure.
• Reverse Osmosis can be defined as the process by which molecules of a substance (water) move from a region where its concentration is low to a region where its concentration is high, due to the application of a hydrostatic pressure which is more than the osmotic pressure.
• In the given example, water is is being separated from the salt dissolved in it by the process of Reverse Osmosis.
• This results in the accumulation of salt in Tank B and accumulation of pure water in Tank A. Reverse osmosis promotes the movement of water from Tank B (where the water concentration is low but salt concentration is high) to Tank A (where the water concentration is high but salt concentration is low) due to the hydrostatic pressure.
• Stopping Reverse Osmosis will cause normal Osmosis to occur.
• Hence, the water will move from tank A (where its concentration is high) to tank B (where its concentration is low) until water concentration in both the tanks become equal.