What is Diffusion?

Diffusion is a fundamental process by which particles, molecules, or substances spread out or disperse from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration. It occurs due to the random motion of particles, driven by their kinetic energy. As particles move, they collide and interact with one another, leading to the gradual equalization of concentration across a given space. This phenomenon is observed in various natural and man-made systems, such as the diffusion of gases in the atmosphere, the spreading of dyes in a liquid, or the movement of substances across cell membranes.

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Examples of Diffusion

Examples, where the concept of Diffusion is observed, are:

• When you spray perfume in one corner of a room, the scent molecules diffuse through the air, gradually spreading out and becoming detectable in other areas of the room.
• When you breathe in, the oxygen molecules from the air diffuse into the tiny air sacs of your lungs. From there, they cross the lung membranes and enter the bloodstream, where they can be transported to cells throughout your body.
• If you drop a few drops of food colouring into a glass of water, the coloured molecules will diffuse and gradually spread throughout the water, creating an evenly coloured solution.

What is Rate of Diffusion?

The speed or rate at which particles or molecules spread and move from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration. It is measured as how quickly diffusion occurs.

Diffusion Formula is the mathematical expression to calculate the rate of diffusion which is explained in detail in this article. As we know, diffusion is defined as the movement of molecules from a higher concentration to a lower concentration. The concept of diffusion plays an important role in some natural and artificial phenomena.

Diffusion is responsible for various phenomena in everyday life such as the mixing of two or more substances, the exchange of gases etc. This article deals with a formula for the rate of diffusion, while also discussing the basics of diffusion as well. Other than that, we will also discuss how to calculate the rate of diffusion and the factors affecting the rate of diffusion as well. Let’s start our learning journey on the topic named “Diffusion Formula”.