A simple membrane osmometer system & experiments that quantitatively measure osmotic pressure

Abstract

Our membrane osmometer system is simple enough to implement in high school or college classrooms and has the advantage of incorporating technology into the classroom. We do not yet have experimental data to answer the question: Does using this apparatus help to clarify student misconceptions about osmosis? We are, however, in the process of evaluating student understanding of the concept of osmotic pressure as a result of experiences with the membrane osmometer that is coupled with an explanation of the osmotic process presented below.