What process applies pressure to a concentrated solution to force water across a semipermeable membrane?

The process that applies pressure to a concentrated solution to force water across a semipermeable membrane is reverse osmosis. In reverse osmosis, a hydraulic pressure is applied to overcome the natural osmotic pressure, allowing solvent molecules (usually water) to pass through the semipermeable membrane while leaving behind dissolved solids and impurities. This principle is widely used in water purification, desalination, and industrial processes to remove contaminants and produce clean water.

The high-pressure environment ensures that water moves in the desired direction, away from the concentrated solution, effectively separating the clean water from the solutes. This process is crucial in various applications, including drinking water treatment and wastewater management, as it enhances the quality of water by removing potentially harmful substances.

Other processes mentioned—such as filtration, distillation, and absorption—function differently. Filtration typically involves physical separation based on particle size but does not involve pressure in the same way as reverse osmosis. Distillation relies on the differences in boiling points to separate components but does not involve semipermeable membranes. Absorption refers to the process where one substance becomes integrated into another, but this does not specifically relate to the movement of water through a membrane under pressure. Thus, reverse osmosis distinctly stands out