Glycerine in water diffuses along a horizontal column that has a cross-sectional area of 2.0 cm2. The concentration gradient is 3.1 10-2 kg/m4, and the diffusion rate is found to be 5.4 10-15 kg/s. Determine the diffusion coefficient.
Answer in m2/s
To determine the diffusion coefficient, we can use Fick's Law of Diffusion, which states:
Diffusion Rate = Diffusion Coefficient x Area x Concentration Gradient
Given:
Diffusion Rate = 5.4 x 10^(-15) kg/s
Area = 2.0 cm^2 = 2.0 x 10^(-4) m^2
Concentration Gradient = 3.1 x 10^(-2) kg/m^4
We need to solve for the diffusion coefficient (D).
Rearranging the formula, we have:
Diffusion Coefficient = Diffusion Rate / (Area x Concentration Gradient)
Plugging in the given values:
Diffusion Coefficient = (5.4 x 10^(-15) kg/s) / (2.0 x 10^(-4) m^2 x 3.1 x 10^(-2) kg/m^4)
Simplifying further, we get:
Diffusion Coefficient = 8.71 x 10^(-11) m^2/s
Therefore, the diffusion coefficient is approximately 8.71 x 10^(-11) m^2/s.