Veepotentsiaali

Veepotentsiaali, also known as water potential, is a thermodynamic concept that describes the tendency of water to move from one area to another. It is a measure of the free energy of water per unit volume. Pure water at standard atmospheric pressure has a water potential of zero. The presence of solutes, pressure, or matric forces can lower the water potential, making it negative.

Water moves from an area of higher water potential to an area of lower water potential. This movement is driven by the difference in water potential between two locations. In biological systems, water potential plays a crucial role in processes such as osmosis, transpiration in plants, and water absorption by roots. The rate and direction of water movement are directly influenced by these water potential gradients.

Factors affecting water potential include solute concentration (osmotic potential), pressure (pressure potential), and the interaction of water with solid surfaces like soil particles (matric potential). Understanding veepotentsiaali is essential for comprehending water transport and its associated phenomena in various environments and biological contexts. It quantifies the driving force for water movement.