eli5 – what is reverse osmosis?

Question

I just learned extensively about osmosis in my college biology class. Then I saw “reverse osmosis” where I get my water.

So what is “reverse osmosis” if water can move both ways depending on whether the solute or solvent is hypotonic?

In: 1

Answer 1

You know how osmosis allows some material to pass through the membrane to equalize concentration? It turns out that if you apply pressure to one side, you can cause the solutions on either side to become unequal concentrations.

It’s essentially a *super* fine filter you push water through that impurities like salt cannot penetrate.