Water potential is the potential of water molecules to move - the capacity of a system to loose water
Each water molecule has a potential energy ( the potential to move ) this potential energy of water molecules is called the water potential
More water molecules mean the total potential to move is greater because each molecule has a potential energy
Very dilute solutions have a greater water potential as contains more water molecules
pure water has a water potential of 0 kilopascals
Adding solute means the solution becomes more concentrated , water molecules form bonds with solute molecules and can’t move as easily ( less free water )
Less water means less water potential so value is negative
Solutions with lowest water potential have largest negative values
Water potential depends on the concentration of solutes in the cell and the pressure exerted on the cell contents by the stretched cell membrane
Water potential = solute potential + pressure potential
