Question

Which phenomenon is responsible for desalination of sea water?

Hint:

Applied Pressure > Osmotic Pressure ($\pi$) triggers Reverse Osmosis.

Answer 1

Step 1: Concept
Reversing the natural direction of osmosis.

Step 2: Meaning
Applying an external pressure greater than the osmotic pressure to the solution side.

Step 3: Analysis
During reverse osmosis, pressure greater than the osmotic pressure is applied to seawater, forcing pure water to pass through a semipermeable membrane while dissolved salts remain behind.

• In ordinary osmosis, water naturally flows from pure water to a concentrated salt solution through a semipermeable membrane.

• Reverse osmosis is the reverse of this natural process.

• A pressure greater than the osmotic pressure is applied to the concentrated solution, such as seawater.

• This external pressure forces water molecules to move in the opposite direction.

• The semipermeable membrane allows only water molecules to pass through while preventing dissolved salts and other impurities from crossing.

• As a result, pure water is collected on one side of the membrane.

• The dissolved salts remain in the concentrated solution.

• Reverse osmosis is widely used for: itemize

• Desalination of seawater.

• Purification of drinking water.

• Industrial water treatment.
itemize

Step 4: Conclusion
This process is termed reverse osmosis.

Final Answer: Reverse Osmosis (RO)