Osmometer
An osmometer is a device for measuring the osmotic strength of a solution, colloid, or compound.
There are several different techniques employed in osmometry:
- Freezing point depression osmometers may also be used to determine the osmotic strength of a solution, as osmotically active compounds depress the freezing point of a solution. This is the most common method in clinical laboratories because it is the most accurate and simple method.
- Vapor pressure osmometers determine the concentration of osmotically active particles that reduce the vapor pressure of a solution.
- Membrane osmometers measure the osmotic pressure of a solution separated from pure solvent by a semipermeable membrane.
Osmometry is the measurement of the osmotic strength of a substance. This is often used by chemists for the determination of average molecular weight.
Osmometry is also useful for estimating the drought tolerance of plant leaves.