a) Explain the process of diffusion IN YOUR OWN WORDS. Use a diagram to help.
Diffusion is the process of particles, such as atoms, molecules, or ions, spreading out and moving from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration. It occurs in different mediums, including gases, liquids, and even solids.
Imagine a room divided into two chambers, separated by a permeable membrane. In one chamber, there is a high concentration of red particles, while the other chamber has a low concentration of red particles. The membrane allows the red particles to pass through it.
As the process of diffusion starts, the red particles randomly move around their own chamber. However, due to their random motion, some of the red particles will collide with the membrane and pass through it into the other chamber. Over time, this movement and collision between particles and the membrane will cause the red particles to spread out and become more evenly distributed in both chambers. Eventually, an equilibrium will be reached, where the concentration of red particles is equal in both chambers.
This diagram visually represents the process of diffusion where particles move from the area of high concentration (A) to the area of low concentration (B) through a permeable membrane. The arrows indicate the movement of particles, and the increasing spread of particles in both chambers demonstrates the process of diffusion.