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Chapter 2: Problem 129

Which of the following describes the process of diffusion? A. A substance moves from an area of low concentration to an area of high concentration. B. A substance moves from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration. C. A substance moves from the center toward two opposite poles. D. A liquid is turned into a gas through the application of heat.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Option B

Step by step solution

01

Understand Diffusion

Diffusion is the process where particles move from a region of higher concentration to a region of lower concentration. This is a natural tendency for particles to spread out evenly in a space.
02

Evaluate Option A

Option A states that a substance moves from an area of low concentration to an area of high concentration. This is incorrect because diffusion results in the movement of particles from high to low concentration, not the other way around.
03

Evaluate Option B

Option B states that a substance moves from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration. This matches the definition of diffusion, making it the correct answer.
04

Evaluate Option C

Option C mentions that a substance moves from the center toward two opposite poles. This does not describe the process of diffusion and can be disregarded.
05

Evaluate Option D

Option D describes the process of a liquid turning into gas through the application of heat, which is known as evaporation, not diffusion.
06

Conclusion

The correct description of diffusion matches Option B - A substance moves from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

concentration gradient
The concentration gradient is a fundamental concept in understanding diffusion. Imagine a room divided into two sections: one filled with a high concentration of a substance, and the other with a low concentration. The concentration gradient refers to this difference, or gradient, between these high and low areas. Over time, particles will naturally move from the area of high concentration to the area of lower concentration to balance things out. This movement is driven by the desire to reach an equilibrium, where the particles are evenly distributed across both sections.

Key Points:
  • A concentration gradient exists whenever there is a difference in the concentration of substances in a space.
  • Diffusion occurs along this gradient, from high to low concentration areas.
  • This process continues until equilibrium is reached, meaning the concentration is the same throughout.
particle movement
Particle movement is the core mechanism of diffusion. Particles are always in motion due to their kinetic energy. In a high concentration area, particles collide more frequently because they are closer together. This leads to a higher chance of them moving to areas where there is more space, or lower concentration. As particles spread out, their movement helps equalize the concentration differences.

Remember, particle movement isn’t due to conscious effort but rather random motion driven by natural physical laws.

Details to Remember:
  • Particles in a high concentration area have a high collision rate.
  • Random motion guides particles from crowded areas to less crowded ones.
  • Equilibrium is the end goal of particle movement, leading to a uniform distribution.
natural tendency
The natural tendency of particles to move from high concentration areas to low concentration areas is a key aspect of diffusion. This tendency is driven by the particles' aim to spread out evenly in the available space, achieving a state of equilibrium. This is not due to external forces; instead, it's an inherent property of particles that arises simply from their kinetic energy and random motion.

Important Concepts:
  • Diffusion happens because particles naturally strive to spread out evenly.
  • No external force is needed for diffusion; it’s a spontaneous process.
  • This natural tendency helps maintain balance and uniformity in various biological and chemical systems.

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