The value of solute potentail is

Options

A. Always positive
B. Always negative
C. zero
D. more than one correct

Answer

To determine the value of solute potential, we need to understand the concept of water potential and how solutes affect it. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of the solution:

### Step 1: Understand Water Potential
Water potential (Ψ) is a measure of the potential energy in water and is influenced by solute concentration and pressure. It is expressed in units of pressure (usually megapascals, MPa).

### Step 2: Identify Components of Water Potential
Water potential is composed of two main components:
- **Solute Potential (Ψs)**: This is the effect of solutes on the overall water potential.
- **Pressure Potential (Ψp)**: This is the physical pressure on the solution.

### Step 3: Analyze Solute Potential
- Solute potential (Ψs) is always negative or zero. This is because the addition of solutes to pure water decreases the concentration of free water molecules, which in turn lowers the water potential.
- Pure water has the highest water potential, which is defined as 0 MPa. When solutes are added, the water potential decreases, resulting in a negative solute potential.

### Step 4: Conclusion
Since solute potential decreases as solutes are added to water, the value of solute potential is always negative. Therefore, the correct answer to the question is that the value of solute potential is negative.

### Final Answer
The value of solute potential is always negative.

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