(b) State one factor that can affect the rate of diffusion.
(a) Diffusion
Diffusion is the net movement of the molecules of a substance from a region of higher concentration to a region of lower concentration until they are evenly spread out. It occurs because molecules are in continuous random motion; the greater number in the crowded region means more of them, on average, drift towards the less crowded region, so the substance gradually spreads throughout the space available.
(b) One factor affecting the rate of diffusion
Temperature (higher temperature gives faster molecular motion and quicker diffusion). Other acceptable factors: the concentration gradient, or the mass/density of the diffusing molecules.
Diffusion is the net movement of the molecules of a substance from a region of higher concentration to a region of lower concentration until they are evenly spread out. It occurs because molecules are in continuous random motion; the greater number in the crowded region means more of them, on average, drift towards the less crowded region, so the substance gradually spreads throughout the space available.
(b) One factor affecting the rate of diffusion
Temperature (higher temperature gives faster molecular motion and quicker diffusion). Other acceptable factors: the concentration gradient, or the mass/density of the diffusing molecules.