Solutions possessing the same surface-tension, though not in molecular
equilibrium, would thus be always in osmotic equilibrium. We must not
conceal from ourselves that this result would be in contradiction with
the kinetic theory.
Sec. 3. APPLICATION TO THE THEORY OF SOLUTION
If there really exist partitions permeable to one body and impermeable
to another, it may be imagined that the homogeneous mixture of these
two bodies might be effected in the converse way. It can be easily
conceived, in fact, that by the aid of osmotic pressure it would be
possible, for example, to dilute or concentrate a solution by driving
through the partition in one direction or another a certain quantity
of the solvent by means of a pressure kept equal to the osmotic
pressure. This is the important fact which Professor Van t' Hoff
perceived. The existence of such a wall in all possible cases
evidently remains only a very legitimate hypothesis,--a fact which
ought not to be concealed.
Relying solely on this postulate, Professor Van t' Hoff easily
established, by the most correct method, certain properties of the
solutions of gases in a volatile liquid, or of non-volatile bodies in
a volatile liquid.
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