Addition of more solutes in a given solution will:
- raise its water potential
- lower its water potential
- make its water potential zero
- not affect the water potential at all
Answer
(2) lower its water potential
Solution
As per NCERT, if some solute is dissolved in pure water, the solution has fewer free water molecules and the concentration (free energy) of water decreases, reducing its water potential.
Solute potential s is always negative; more solute makes it more negative, so w = s + p decreases.
Adding more solutes lowers the water potential.
Answer: (2)