Diffusion

• occurs when particles of a substance

move in between the particles of another
substance.
 Diffusion in a gas
• A few drops of liquid
bromine are placed into a
gas jar. The gas is
immediately covered & set
aside for a few minutes.

• Another gas jar containing

air is inverted on the top of
the gas jar which contains
bromine vapour.

• The cover in between of Liquid bromine is toxic & corrosive.

the two gas jar is removed. Wear gloves when handling it.
The apparatus is set aside Carry out the experiment in a fume
for a few minutes chamber
 Diffusion in a liquid
• Three-quarters of a test tube • A drop of potassium
is filled with water. The test manganate (VII) solution is
tube is placed in a test tube squeezed into the water.
rack. • The test tube is allowed to
• A small volume of potassium stand for a few hours.
manganate (VII) solution is
drawn using a dropper.
• Any excess potassium
manganate (VII) solution is
wiped off with a piece of
tissue paper.
• The tip of the dropper is
lowered into the water in the
test tube until it is near to the
bottom of the test tube.
 Diffusion in a solid
• A test tube is filled with hot
liquid gel until it is almost
full. The gel is left to
harden.

• A small crystal of
potassium manganate (VII)
is placed on top of the gel.

• The test tube is stoppered

& clamped upside down.

• The apparatus is left aside

for a few days.
• Rate of diffusion

solid < liquid < gas

Rate of diffusion increases
• Rate of diffusion of gas particles depends
on their masses.

• Gas with low molecular masses diffuse

faster than those with high molecular
masses.
• A white ring (product from the reaction of
ammonia gas & hydrogen chloride) formed
nearer to the end with hydrogen chloride.
• Ammonia molecules diffuses faster than the
hydrogen chloride molecules.
• Molecular mass of ammonia < molecular mass
of hydrogen chloride.
• Rate of diffusion is also affected by the
temperature.

• The higher the temperature, the faster the

particles move & so the faster the diffusion.