diffusion

Examples of diffusion in the following topics:

• Gas Diffusion and Effusion

  • Diffusion refers to the process of particles moving from an area of high concentration to one of low concentration.
  • Diffusion results in the gradual mixing of materials, and eventually, it forms a homogeneous mixture.
  • Explore the role of a molecule's mass with respect to its diffusion rate.
  • Explore the role of temperature on the rate of diffusion.
  • Compare the diffusion rates at low, medium and high temperatures.

• The Kinetic Molecular Theory of Matter

  • The kinetic theory of matter is also illustrated by the process of diffusion.
  • Diffusion is the movement of particles from a high concentration to a low concentration.
  • A description of what happens during the process of dissolution of a solid in a liquid and diffusion.

• Solutions and Entropy Changes

  • This formation of solution increases entropy as the molecules become more evenly distributed and ordered through the process of diffusion.

• Solubility and Pressure

  • If a diver returns to the surface too rapidly, the nitrogen gas diffuses out of the blood too quickly, causing pain and possibly death.
  • To prevent the bends, a diver must return to the surface slowly, so that the gases will adjust to the partial decrease in pressure and diffuse more slowly.
  • Unless they ascend slowly, the nitrogen can diffuse out of their blood too quickly, causing pain and even death.

• Aurora Borealis and the Aurora Australis

  • An aurora is classified as either a diffuse or a discrete aurora.
  • A diffuse aurora is a featureless glow in the sky that may not be visible to the naked eye even on a dark night and defines the extent of the auroral zone (the area in which auroras are visible).
  • Discrete auroras are sharply-defined features within the diffuse aurora; they vary in brightness from barely visible to bright enough for reading a newspaper at night.

• Distribution of Molecular Speeds and Collision Frequency

  • Explore the role of molecular mass on the rate of diffusion.
  • Compare the diffusion rates of the lightest, heavier and heaviest molecules.

• Ozone Depletion

  • Atmospheric gases are not sorted by weight, however; wind forces can fully mix the gases in the atmosphere, which readily diffuse into the stratosphere.

• Solubility Product Principle and Qualitative Analysis

  • Precipitation is the formation of a solid in a solution or inside another solid during a chemical reaction or by diffusion in a solid.

• Spontaneous and Nonspontaneous Processes

• Electrolysis of Sodium Chloride

  • The ion-selective membrane (B) allows the counterion Na+ to freely flow across, but prevents anions such as hydroxide (OH-) and chloride from diffusing across.