Diffusion refers to the process by which molecules intermingle as

a result of their kinetic energy of random motion. Consider two

containers of gas A and B separated by a partition. The molecules
of both gases are in constant motion and make numerous
collisions with the partition. If the partition is removed as in the
lower illustration, the gases will mix because of the random
velocities of their molecules. In time a uniform mixture of A and
B molecules will be produced in the container.

The tendency toward diffusion is very strong even at room

temperature because of the high molecular velocities associated
with the thermal energy of the particles.

Rate of diffusion Osmosis Thermal energy

Energetics of solute diffusion

Rate of Diffusion
Since the average kinetic energy of
different types of molecules (different
masses) which are at thermal equilibrium is
the same, then their average velocities are
different. Their average diffusion rate is
expected to depend upon that average
Index
velocity, which gives a relative diffusion
rate
Kinetic theory concepts

Applications of kinetic theory

Fluid concepts

where the constant K depends upon

geometric factors including the area across
which the diffusion is occuring. The
relative diffusion rate for two different
molecular species is then given by
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 Osmosis
Index
If two solutions of different concentration are
separated by a semi-permeable membrane which
is permeable to the smaller solvent molecules but
not to the larger solute molecules, then the
Kinetic
solvent will tend to diffuse across the membrane
theory
from the less concentrated to the more
concepts
concentrated solution. This process is called
osmosis.
Applications
of kinetic
Osmosis is of great importance in biological
theory
processes where the solvent is water. The
transport of water and other molecules across
Fluid
biological membranes is essential to many
concepts
processes in living organisms. The energy which
drives the process is usually discussed in terms
of osmotic pressure.

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Osmosis is a selective diffusion process driven by the internal energy of the solvent molecules. It is convenient to

If pure water were on both sides of the membrane, the osmotic pressure difference would be zero. But if normal h
living organisms.

The decision about which side of the membrane to call "high" osmotic pressure is a troublesome one. The choice
The rationale for the choice is that the energy which drives the fluid transfer is the thermal energy of the water m
contribute to transport, presuming that the membrane is impermeable to them. The choice is also influenced by t
pipes from high pressure to low. The final rationale has to do with the measurement of osmotic pressure by deter
the soluton. A positive pressure must be exerted on the solution to prevent osmotic transport, again congruent wi

Nevertheless, the dialog continues on this issue since the discussion of osmosis is most relevant to the biological

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 Measuring Osmotic Pressure
One approach to the measurement of osmotic pressure is to measure the amount of hydrostatic pressure necessar

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 Membrane Transport
Index
The transport of water and other types of molecules across membranes is the key to many
processes in living organisms. Many of these transport processes proceed Kinetic
by diffusionthrough membranes which are selectively permeable, allowing small theory
molecules to pass but blocking larger ones. These processes, including osmosis and concepts
dialysis, are sometimes called passive transport since they do not require any active role
for the membrane. Other types of transport, called active transport, involve properties of Applications
a cell membrane to selectively "pump" certain types of molecules across the membrane. of kinetic
theory
The transport of gases across membranes depends upon diffusion and the solubility of the
gases involved. In life science applications such transport is characterized by Graham's Fluid
Law and Fick's Law. concepts

More on Cell Membrane transport

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