Define water potential in your own words. How does it help us understand the movement of water?

Water potential is the potential energy of water per unit area compared to pure water. It helps us predict the direction water will flow due to osmosis, pressure, gravity, and surface tension.

Explain the relationship between solute potential and the addition of solutes to a solution. How does adding more solutes affect the solute potential, and why?

As the number of solutes in a solution increases, the solute potential decreases (becomes more negative). This is because solutes bind to water molecules, reducing the water's freedom to move and thus lowering its potential energy.

What is Water Potential?

AdultScience30 min

Learning Objective

I can define water potential and its components.

Lesson Flow

Watch Video

10 min

Water Potential

Bozeman Science

Guided Notes

6 min

Key concepts students will learn:

•
Water potential, symbolized by Ψ (Psi) and associated with Poseidon's trident, measures the potential energy of water per unit area relative to pure water.
•
Water always flows from areas of high water potential to areas of low water potential.
•
Water potential (Ψ) is calculated by adding the solute potential and the pressure potential, which account for osmosis and physical pressure, respectively.

Practice

10 min

3 questions • Short answer

Exit Ticket

5 min

“Define water potential. What two components contribute to water potential?”

Teacher Guide

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Answer keys for all questions
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What is Water Potential?

Learning Objective

Lesson Flow

Watch Video

Guided Notes

Practice

Exit Ticket

Teacher Guide

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