Water Potential of Pure Water

Water potential is a measure of the potential energy of water in a system. The water potential of pure water is a reference point used to compare the water potential of other solutions.

Answer: A. 1

The water potential of pure water is defined as 1. This value represents the maximum potential energy that water molecules can have in a system. Pure water has the highest water potential because it is in its most natural state without any solutes or pressure affecting it.

Explanation

When pure water is in a closed system, its water potential is at its highest value of 1. This is because there are no solutes present to lower the water potential. In this scenario, water molecules are free to move and establish equilibrium within the system.

Significance of Water Potential

Understanding the water potential of pure water is crucial for studying osmosis, the movement of water across a semipermeable membrane. Water will always move from an area of higher water potential to an area of lower water potential, in an attempt to reach equilibrium.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the water potential of pure water is 1, representing the maximum potential energy of water molecules in a system. This knowledge serves as a fundamental concept in biology and helps explain various processes such as osmosis.