CHAPTER 1 The particulate nature of matter Diffusion Notes Cambridge IGCSE

Diffusion is the free movement of particles of matter freely in all directions due to random motion







as we discussed earlier the movement of particles in all states of matter and the space between particles and movement speed we can see how these particles can move in between other phase or in the same phase

like can the particles of one gas move freely in between the particles of another gas , or even in between liquid particles

we can see how NO₂ molecules can diffuse in between the components of air .
or how can a fizzy drink have the particles of CO₂ gas move freely in between the water molecules


since the movement of particles of gases is less restricted than those in solid or liquid states;Diffusion is more common to happen in the gas particles among other gas or among liquid state


The liquid particles can also diffuse in between other liquid or in gasif you spray water in the air you can see how liquid particles of water can move freely in between air particles

and also ethanol molecules can spread and diffuse in between water molecules


and also the solid particles in between a liquid or in a gas

In case of solid particles since there is no space between particles it is impossible for any type of phase to diffuse between them .


Diffusion of gases is quick because the particles of a gas move quickly. It happens even faster in hot gases.





so we can define




Diffusion


as : the free movement of particles of matter freely in all directions in between other particles




Because of the continuous motion which is irregular and random the particles can start moving (diffuse) from one place to another


The speed of this motion depends on some factors , the most important of which is the mass of the moving particles

The higher the mass of the particles the slower is the motion and vice versa

as we can see in the following experiment








Download as PDF

check the rest of the topic


Download as PDF_ :

Check the rest of The Topic (Particulate Nature of Matter)


Check also
Chapter 1 States of matter introduction . Chapter 1 Changes to states of matter .
Chapter 1 Heating and cooling curves . Chapter 1 The kinetic particle model
Chapter 1 Brownian motion Chapter 1 Diffusion Chapter 1 Explanation presentation