REVERSE OSMOSIS Meaning and
Definition
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Reverse osmosis is a water purification process that removes impurities and contaminants from a solution by applying pressure to force the solution through a semipermeable membrane. It is a technology commonly used in homes, industries, and water treatment plants to efficiently produce clean drinking water.
In this process, the solution, typically water, passes through the membrane from a higher solute concentration side (more impurities) to a lower solute concentration side (purified water) when pressure is applied. The semipermeable membrane acts as a barrier, allowing only water molecules to pass through while blocking the passage of larger molecules, ions, and other impurities. The applied pressure must be higher than the osmotic pressure to effectively separate the solute from the solvent.
Reverse osmosis is capable of removing a wide range of impurities from water, including dissolved salts, microorganisms, bacteria, viruses, organic compounds, and other harmful substances. It is a highly efficient and advanced method that produces pure and safe drinking water, often surpassing the quality of other water treatment techniques.
As a result of its extensive use, reverse osmosis has become an essential component in many processes, such as desalination plants for converting seawater into freshwater, providing clean drinking water in areas with limited access, and industrial applications requiring high-quality water. It is renowned for its effectiveness in producing pure water, making it a vital technology for addressing various water-related challenges.
Etymology of REVERSE OSMOSIS
The word "reverse osmosis" is composed of two parts: "reverse" and "osmosis".
- "Reverse" comes from the Middle English word "reversen", which has Latin roots in the word "revertere", meaning "to turn back". It suggests the act of going in the opposite direction or reversing a process.
- "Osmosis" originates from the Late Latin word "osmosis", which stems from the Greek word "ὠσμός" (osmós), meaning "a thrust or push". It was initially used in the context of fluid dynamics to describe the movement and transportation of solvent molecules through a semipermeable membrane.
