Molecular Diffusion

Molecular diffusion is the movement of component molecules in a mixture under the

influence of a concentration difference in the system. Diffusion of molecules occurs in the
direction required to destroy the concentration gradient.

Diffusion Theory

Consider a system containing molecular components A and B. Initially, the concentration

of A in the system is not uniform; as indicated in Figure 9.1, concentration CA varies from CA 1
to CA2 and is a function of distance y. In response to this concentration gradient, molecules of A
will diffuse away from the region of high concentration until eventually the whole system
acquires uniform composition.

Figure 9.1

In single-phase systems, the rate of mass transfer due to molecular diffusion is given by
Fick's law of diffusion, which states that mass flux is proportional to the concentration gradient: