±«Óătv

Analysing results

The investigation cannot be based on changes in mass from just one potato cylinder.

Percentage changes in mass must be calculated for each cylinder. A value for the change in mass of potato cylinders at each concentration - measured in moles of per dm3 of , or mol dm−3 – should be calculated.

A graph is plotted of change in mass, in per cent, against concentration of .

Where potato cylinders have gained in mass, the change will be positive.

Where potato cylinders have decreased in mass, the change will be negative.

Concentration of sucrose (mol dm−3)Average change in mass (%)
0.0+26.8
0.2+5.0
0.4−7.7
0.6−17.9
0.8−26.0
1.0−31.4
Concentration of sucrose (mol dm−3)0.0
Average change in mass (%)+26.8
Concentration of sucrose (mol dm−3)0.2
Average change in mass (%)+5.0
Concentration of sucrose (mol dm−3)0.4
Average change in mass (%)−7.7
Concentration of sucrose (mol dm−3)0.6
Average change in mass (%)−17.9
Concentration of sucrose (mol dm−3)0.8
Average change in mass (%)−26.0
Concentration of sucrose (mol dm−3)1.0
Average change in mass (%)−31.4
A line graph that plots the points on the table of change in mass, against concentration of sucrose. From high with 0 Sucrose to negative change in mass with high sucrose concentration

Where the line crosses the horizontal axis at 0 per cent change in mass, the sucrose concentration is equal to the concentration of the contents of the potato cells. Therefore, the concentration of the water in the outer solution is equal to the concentration of the water inside the cells.

This can be identified on the graph as the point which shows no change in mass, and therefore represents no movement of water by osmosis.

Question

What is the concentration of in the cells of the potato in this investigation?