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Chapter 13: Problem 61

When the stems of cut flowers are held in concentrated \(\mathrm{NaCl}(\mathrm{aq}),\) the flowers wilt. In a similar solution a fresh cucumber shrivels up (becomes pickled). Explain the basis of these phenomena.

Short Answer

Expert verified
The flowers wilt and the cucumber shrinks due to the process of osmosis. The water inside both the flower stems and the cucumber, where it is in higher concentration, moves towards the concentrated NaCl solution, which is of lower concentration. This movement of water from a higher to a lower concentration across a semi-permeable membrane is osmosis and results in wilting of flowers and shrinking of cucumbers due to water loss.

Step by step solution

01

Understand Osmosis

Osmosis is a type of diffusion. In osmosis, water molecules move from an area of high concentration (dilute solution) to an area of low concentration (concentrated solution) across a semi-permeable membrane.
02

Effect of Osmosis on Cut Flowers

When the stem of a cut flower is placed in a concentrated NaCl solution, the water inside the flower's stem (where it is in higher concentration) flows out towards the NaCl solution (where it is in lower concentration). This water loss due to osmosis causes the flower to wilt.
03

Effect of Osmosis on Cucumbers

Similarly, when a fresh cucumber is placed in a concentrated NaCl solution, the water inside the cucumber (where it is in higher concentration) moves out towards the NaCl solution (where water is in lower concentration). Loss of water due to osmosis causes the cucumber to shrivel up and become 'pickled'.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

In what volume of water must \(1 \mathrm{mol}\) of a nonelectrolyte be dissolved if the solution is to have an osmotic pressure of 1 atm at 273 K? Which of the gas laws does this result resemble?

What volume of ethylene glycol \(\left(\mathrm{HOCH}_{2} \mathrm{CH}_{2} \mathrm{OH},\right.\) density \(=1.12 \mathrm{g} \mathrm{mL}^{-1}\) ) must be added to \(20.0 \mathrm{L}\) of water \(\left(K_{\mathrm{f}}=1.86^{\circ} \mathrm{C} / m\right)\) to produce a solution that freezes at \(-10^{\circ} \mathrm{C} ?\)

Calculate the vapor pressure at \(20^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\) of a saturated solution of the nonvolatile solute, urea, \(\mathrm{CO}\left(\mathrm{NH}_{2}\right)_{2},\) in methanol, \(\mathrm{CH}_{3} \mathrm{OH} .\) The solubility is \(17 \mathrm{g}\) urea/100 \(\mathrm{mL}\) methanol. The density of methanol is \(0.792 \mathrm{g} / \mathrm{mL}\), and its vapor pressure at \(20^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\) is \(95.7 \mathrm{mmHg}\).

Use the concentration of an isotonic saline solution, \(0.92 \% \mathrm{NaCl}(\mathrm{mass} / \text { volume }),\) to determine the osmotic pressure of blood at body temperature, \(37.0^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\). [Hint: Assume that \(\mathrm{NaCl}\) is completely dissociated in aqueous solutions.]

Briefly describe each of the following ideas or phenomena: (a) Henry's law; (b) freezing-point depression; (c) recrystallization; (d) hydrated ion; (e) deliquescence.
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