DIFFUSION
Brownian Motion
Explanation and evidence for Brownian motion
An example of Brownian motion is the observed jerky and erratic motion
of smoke particles as they are hit by the unseen molecules in the air which
can be seen under a microscope
In 1905, physicist Albert Einstein explained that pollen grains in water
were being moved by individual water molecules
In all cases, larger and visible particles are caused to move by the random
bombardment of smaller, invisible particles
Diffusion & Molecular Mass
Diffusion occurs much faster in gases than in liquids as gaseous particles
move much quicker than liquid particles
At the same temperature, different gases do not diffuse at the same rate.
This is due to the difference in their relative molecular masses
Lighter gas particles can travel faster and hence further, therefore the
lower its relative mass the faster a gas will diffuse
Brownian Motion
Explanation and evidence for Brownian motion
An example of Brownian motion is the observed jerky and erratic motion
of smoke particles as they are hit by the unseen molecules in the air which
can be seen under a microscope
In 1905, physicist Albert Einstein explained that pollen grains in water
were being moved by individual water molecules
In all cases, larger and visible particles are caused to move by the random
bombardment of smaller, invisible particles
Diffusion & Molecular Mass
Diffusion occurs much faster in gases than in liquids as gaseous particles
move much quicker than liquid particles
At the same temperature, different gases do not diffuse at the same rate.
This is due to the difference in their relative molecular masses
Lighter gas particles can travel faster and hence further, therefore the
lower its relative mass the faster a gas will diffuse
