Question

osmosis across a cell membrane can be modeled using a u - shaped tube. this diagram of a u - shaped tube shows two solutions immediately after they were poured into the tube. the solutions were made by dissolving different amounts of the same solute in water. according to the diagram, which statements describe the solutions immediately after they were poured into the u - shaped tube? select all that apply. the two solutions have different concentrations. the two solutions are at equilibrium. water is the solute in both solutions. the two solutions have the same volume.

Explanation:

• For "The two solutions are at equilibrium": Equilibrium in osmosis occurs when the net movement of water stops, which is not the case immediately after pouring (as solute concentrations differ, water will move), so this is incorrect.
• For "Water is the solute in both solutions": In these solutions, the solute is the dissolved substance (the orange dots), and water is the solvent (the medium in which the solute is dissolved), so this is incorrect.
• For "The two solutions have the same volume": From the U - shaped tube diagram, the liquid levels (and thus volumes) of the two solutions are the same initially, but this is not the key characteristic of osmosis setup here. The main point is about solute concentration. The two solutions have different numbers of solute particles (seen from the diagram: more solute on one side), so their concentrations are different. This is the correct description of the solutions immediately after pouring.

Answer:

The correct statement is "The two solutions have different concentrations."