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Phy 2. Determination of diffusion potentials 1) What is the role of multi-meter in this measurement? Ans: To measure the diffusion potential 2) When measuring the potential using cellophane what should we do after changing the type of ion? Ans: Replace the membrane. 3) What is the expression of diffusion potential by a1, a2? (a1, a2 = the activities of the ions in the half cells) D = Ans: ( + ) RT 2 F 1

4) Why do we measure the asymmetry potential between the same concentration solutions? Ans: For the calibration 5) Explain how the diffusion process progress when using the semi-permeable membrane. Ans: A semi-permeable allows both cations and anions to pass. As a result of the difference in the concentrations, ions diffuse from the more concentrated solution to the less concentrated solution. When the ionic nobilities of the two types of ion are different, then at first more of the quicker ions diffuse through the membrane, which leads to the formation of an electrical double layer. The solutions become charged, so that the movement of the quicker type of ion is restrained and the movement of the slower type accelerated.