At 27 °C, 0.1 M, 1 L K4[Fe(CN)6] aqueous solution and 0.1 M, 1 L FeCl3 aqueous solution are placed in a container separated by a semi permeable membrane AB. Assume complete dissociation of both the solutes. Which of the following statement is correct? [figure]
- Blue color is formed on both sides.
- Ionic solutes in aqueous solution can pass through semi-permeable membrane.
- Solution on side 'y' is hypotonic.
- To cause the reverse flow of solvent during osmosis, external pressure (any value) should be applied to side 'x'.
Answer
(3) Solution on side 'y' is hypotonic.
Solution
Van't Hoff factor (complete dissociation):
K4[Fe(CN)6] 4K+ + [Fe(CN)6]4- ⇒ i = 5 ⇒ particle concentration = 5 × 0.1 = 0.5 M
FeCl3 Fe3+ + 3Cl- ⇒ i = 4 ⇒ particle concentration = 4 × 0.1 = 0.4 M
= iCRT ⇒ x > y
(1) ✗ A semipermeable membrane lets only solvent molecules pass; Fe3+ and [Fe(CN)6]4- never meet, so no blue colour (Prussian blue) forms on either side.
(2) ✗ Ionic solutes cannot pass through the semipermeable membrane.
(3) ✓ Side 'y' has the lower osmotic pressure ⇒ it is hypotonic with respect to side 'x' (solvent flows from y to x).
(4) ✗ To reverse the flow, the pressure applied on side 'x' must be greater than the osmotic pressure difference — not any value.
Answer: (3)