Diffusion

• What is diffusion?

  Movement of particles from high to low concentration
• Why do particles diffuse?

  Because of their natural tendency to spread out
• What is the fancy definition of diffusion?

  Spreading out of particles from high to low concentration
• In which states of matter does diffusion occur?

  In solutions and gases
• What happens when perfume particles diffuse in a room?

  They spread out evenly in the air
• How does the concentration gradient affect diffusion rate?

  A bigger gradient increases the diffusion rate
• How does temperature affect diffusion rate?

  Higher temperature increases the diffusion rate
• What is the role of cell membranes in diffusion?

  They allow substances to enter and exit cells
• What types of molecules can diffuse through cell membranes?

  Very small molecules like oxygen and glucose
• Which molecules cannot fit through cell membranes?

  Big molecules like starch and proteins
• How do particles move through cell membranes?

  From higher concentration to lower concentration
• What happens to the movement of particles when there are more on one side of the membrane?

  There is a net movement from that side
• How does surface area affect diffusion rate?

  Larger surface area increases the diffusion rate
• What happens when a drop of ink is added to cold water?

  • The ink will gradually spread out
  • This occurs due to diffusion
• How does the observation differ with warm water?

  • Ink spreads out faster in warm water
  • Higher temperature increases particle movement