Investigating Osmosis Using Potato Cylinders

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Investigating Osmosis Using Potato Cylinders

The aim of this investigation is to see how the sugar concentration of

a solution eventually affects the size of a submerged potato

cylinder. I am conducting this experiment to further my understanding

of osmosis. The increase or decrease of the size of the potato

cylinder can be explained by osmosis.

Introduction:-

The core scientific principle, related to my investigation is that of

Osmosis, below I intend to relay information thus.

Osmosis:-

Osmosis is basically a form of diffusion, but more specifically: it

is the movement of water molecules from an area of high water

concentration, through a partially permeable membrane to an area of

lower water concentration.

Partially permeable membrane:-

A partially permeable membrane is a membrane, with holes so small that

only water molecules are small enough to fit through, bigger molecule,

for instance, sugar and salt are not small enough to fit through.

In my experiment I will be testing Osmosis with a potato in relation

to the solution that it is in, one solution will be pure water, the

second will be a 5% glucose concentration, and then the next a 10%

glucose concentration, and then a 15% glucose concentration. My

hypothesis and the experiment will predominately affected by the type

of solution that the potato cylinders are in, i.e. the solution that

the potato cylinders are in will affect the results, that is whether

the potato cylinders shrink, stay the same size, or grow larger:

Hypertonic Solutions: In a hypertonic solution the solution will have

a higher solute concentration that the potato would, when th...

... middle of paper ...

...his will further the

relativity and congruence that I hope to achieve in my results.

Because I am checking the affect of osmosis on the weight and size of

potato cylinders I will keep the potato cylinder size the same but

change the concentration of sugar in different solutions to see how it

affects the cylinders.

Results:-

Initial potato weight(g)

Average Potato Weight(g)

Concentration of Solution

Weight after osmosis(g)

Average Weight after Osmosis(g)

1

2.009

1.9825

0%

2.108

2.1165

1.956

2.125

2

1.970

1.9605

5%

1.974

1.9625

1.951

1.951

3

1.490

1.7800

10%

1.983

1.6875

2.070

1.392

4

1.890

1.9400

15%

1.690

1.745

1.990

1.800

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