Many specific terms from a particular field of science have long switched and firmly entrenched in the everyday vocabulary of the alignment. The concept of "diffusion" belongs to the number of such words. What does this term mean, what processes do he characterize?
Explanation of the Terminality Diffusion
The word "diffusion" is borrowed from Latin (Diffusio) and literally translates as a "flow". The term "diffusion" defines the chemical process of mixing, in which one substance is gradually combined on the other in the influence of thermal motion of the elements of the substance. This connection takes place at the smallest level. Mixing is observed exactly until the chemical potential of the finished substance is aligned - penetration occurs in the direction of reducing the concentration of the incoming substance.
It is important to note that the diffusion phenomenon is possible only between substances of close density. This fact explains, for example, why mangalls in water dissolves well, and a drop of oil will be swimming on the surface.
Characteristic features and types of diffusion
The penetration of particles of one substance to another is not only exposed to gases and liquids - although in these connections, the mixing process is most quickly and noticeable - but also solid bodies. The direction of movement of particles is chaotic and determined by the impetus (kinetic energy), which they are obtained when colliding with other particles. The direction of movement of molecules can be represented as a broken. An arbitrary procedure for the propagation of a new substance determined slow diffusion rate. It should be noted that an increase in temperature leads to a faster movement of particles and, as a result, a faster diffusion.
Several types of diffusion are distinguished:
- Free. Determines the arbitrary movement of molecules in the direction of lower potential. This type of penetration is characteristic only for substance with a sufficiently small particle size (for example, water, methyl alcohol).
- Limited. In this case, the charged cell membrane creates an obstacle on the way of moving and promoting particles even very small size.
- Lightweight. The mixing process provides carrier molecules that transport weakly penetrating or penetrating molecules and ions (for example, amino acid penetration into sugar particles).
- Exchange. This type of diffusion is observed when the transfer of the molecule itself in the course of transportation of particles.
Examples of diffusion manifestation
An important role of diffusion plays in biological processes of living organisms. An example of this phenomenon is used, for example, the propagation of oxygen. At first, its molecules fall into the lungs, then of the lungs in the blood, and after - in all the tissues of the body.
The most frequent and well-known example of penetration in gases is the spread of smell. Infusion of one liquid into another allows you to obtain a homogeneous solution due to the same diffusion. An example of mixing particles of solid bodies can serve a bolt and nut.