Osmosis Lab

Napat Pracharktam (1007)

Section 1007
Ms.Pusadee Khanijou
Napat Pracharktam (Noon) 1007

Osmosis Lab

Data Collection
Table 1: The mass and volume of each piece of potatoes before and after soaking in the
distilled water, salt water and leaving them for an hour.
Potato soaking in distilled Potato soaking in salt water Potato (control
water variable)
Before After Before After Before
Mass 2.29 g 2.55 g 3.75 g 2.88 g 2.43 g
Volume 2 ml³ 2.50 ml³ 3.90 ml³ 2.80 ml³ -

Table 2: The mass and volume of each piece of Jelly before and after soaking in the distilled
water, salt water and leaving them for an hour.
Jelly soaking in distilled water Jelly soaking in salt water Jelly (control
variable)
Before After Before After Before
Mass 1.98 g 3.12 g 2.32 g 1.73 g 2.63 g
Volume 1.5 ml³ 2.80 ml³ 1.80 ml³ 1.30 ml³ -

Table 3: The descriptions of each piece of potatoes and Jelly before and after soaking in the
distilled water, salt water
Before soaking in any After soaking in After soaking in salt
substance (control distilled water water
variable)
Potato Soft solid, triangle Harder and rough Very soft and
shape, smell sweet texture smoother texture,
like potato smell salty
Jelly Hard and smooth The softest jelly, more Soft, smooth,
texture, semi-circle transparent, split translucent and smell
shape, smell like grape easily salty
flavor, quite opaque
Table 4: The percent change in mass and volume for jelly and potato before and after
soaking in distilled water and salt water

After soaking in the distilled water After soaking in the salt water

Percent change in Percent change in Percent change in Percent change in

mass volume mass volume
Potato 11.35% 25% -23.2% -28.21%

Jelly 57.58% 86.67% -25.43% -27.78%

Percent Change in mass and volume of Potato after soaking

in distilled and salt water for an hour
30.00%

20.00%
Percent Change (%)

10.00%

0.00%
Potato after soaking in distilled water Potato after soaking in salt water
-10.00%

-20.00%

-30.00%

-40.00%
Mass and Volume of Potato after soaking in distilled and salt water

Mass Volume
 Percent Change in mass and volume of Jelly after soaking in
distilled and salt water for an hour
100.00%

80.00%
Percent Change (%)

60.00%

40.00%

20.00%

0.00%
Jelly after soaking in disilled water Jelly after soaking in salt water
-20.00%

-40.00%
Mass and Volume of Jelly after soaking in distilled and salt water

Mass Volume

Analyzing Result
According to the experiment, after soaking potato into distilled water for 1 hour, the
mass and volume of the potato considerably rose. The mass of the potato increased by

approximately 11%, and its volume increased by 25%. Therefore, the potato swelled as well

as became harder and rougher. However, after soaking the potato into salt water for 1 hour,

the mass of the potato decreased from 3.75g to 2.88g, and its volume decreased from

3.90ml³ to 2.80ml³. Hence, the potato shrink as well as became softer and smoother. All the

changes of the mass and the volume of the potatoes and jelly resulted from ‘Osmosis’.

When placing the potato in the distilled water (hypotonic solution) which has less

concentration of solute, water will flow into the potato. In contrast, in the salt water

(hypertonic solution) which has more concentration of solute, the water will move out of

the potato.

Similarly, after soaking jelly into distilled water for 1 hour, it was clearly seen that the
mass and volume of the jelly increased in a large amount. The mass of the jelly increased by

approximately 58% and its volume increased by 86%. Therefore, the jelly swelled as well as

became very soft, smooth and was easily to be split. However, after soaking the jelly in salt

water for 1 hour, the mass of the potato dropped from 2.32g to 1.73g and its volume dropped
from 1.80ml³ to 1.30ml³. Thus, the jelly shrink as well as was translucent and slightly softer.

When placing the jelly in the distilled water (hypotonic solution) which has less concentration

of solute, water will flow into the jelly. On the other hand, when placing the jelly in the salt

water (hypertonic solution) which has more concentration of solute, water will move out of

the jelly. This data was based on the Osmosis theory. Nevertheless, If I have a chance to

improve this experiment, I would soak and observe both jelly and potato for a longer period.

Conclusion

In conclusion, my hypotheses are supported. Firstly, soaking the jelly in distilled water for 1
hour can make it swells, but soaking the jelly in salt water for the same amount of time can
make it shrinks. Secondly, like jelly, soaking the potato in distilled water for 1 hour can make
it swells, but soaking the potato in salt water for the same amount of time can make it
shrinks.