The theory of measurement of osmotic pressure

Abstract

Abstract Application of Onsager's symmetry relations to the process of diffusion of a solution through a membrane shows that measured osmotic pressures deviate from those calculated thermodynamically in proportion to the permeability of the membrane to the solute molecules. Therefore little is learned from one dynamic osmotic measurement but by simultaneous measurements of osmotic pressure and permeation at different membranes the entire molecular weight distribution of the solute can be computed.