Aim: To investigate the effect the surface area to volume ratio on the rate of diffusion.

Background Information:
Research Question: To what extent does the surface area to volume ratio effect the rate of
diffusion of basic agar blocks of various dimensions with phenolphthalein in hydrochloric
acid.
Independent Variable: surface area to volume ratio (1:1,4:1,3.7:1,3:1,2.7:1)
Dependant Variable: Time take for the colour to totally change from pink to colourless in the
agar. Measured in seconds and this what recorded using a digital stopwatch.
Unit: Cm2/cm3=cm
1.) mention all ratios and data in table form If required
2.) dimensions should be like 1*1*1 form
Controlled Variable:
· volume of acid used 10ml
· Size of the boiling tubes
· Concentration of agarose in the agar block-it was made at the same time for each
set of agar block

Uncontrolled Variable:
· Temperature-we assume that the temperature was controlled as we did it at the
same time in the same system.

Materials:
1. Apparatus:
· 25 boiling tubes
· Test tube stands
· Scalpel
· Tongs
· Petri dish
· Ruler
· Digital stopwatch
· Measuring cylinder

2. Chemical:
· 250ml dilute acid (0.1N HCL)
· Ammonia-few drops
· Argarose-20g
Procedure:
1. Cut agar blocks in 1cmx1cmx1cm dimensions
2. Take 10ml of 0.1N HCL in a boiling tube
3
3. Drop the agar block 1cm
4. Immediately start the stopwatch as the agar block makes contact with the
HCL.
5. Observe the colour change in the agar block.
6. When the block turns completely colourless the stop the digital stopwatch.
 7. Note the time take for the colour change and record the data on the table
8. Repeat steps 1-7 for the remaining four trials.
9. Repeat for 1-8 for other four dimensions.

Qualitative Data:
· Colour change from pink/magenta to colourless
· Time taken for agar blocks with larger dimension to become colourless was larger
than the ones with smaller dimensions

Quantitative Data:
(Raw)
Trials: 1 2 3 4 5

Dimensions/cm Time for colour change/s

1x1x1 3.22 3.55 5.34 4.52 5.29

1.5x1.5x1.5 10.45 10.35 12.05 12.05 12.10

1.8x1.8x1.8 6.45 6.42 6.54 6.51 6.40

2x2x2 7.56 8.19 8.14 6.36 8.04

2.5x2.5x2.5 11.5 13.50 9.26 12.54 12.24

(Processed)
Surface Area:Volume Average Time/s Rate=1/T
Ratio

6:1 263 0.0038

3:1 684 0.0015

1.8:1 388 0.0026

1.5:1 459 0.0022

1:1 708 0.0014

Strengths:
· We took 5 trials per experiment therefore increasing the accuracy
· The agar jelly made for each dimension was from one batch therefore consistency
is same.

Weakness’:
· Size of each block varied of each trial in each dimension as there was no means
to accurately measure each block precisely.

Conclusion:
From the values received we can deduce that there is indeed a relationship
between SA: V ratio and the rate of diffusion. We view that as SA: V ratio increases the size
of the agar block decreases therefore increasing the rate of diffusion. Rate of diffusion is
directly proportional to the SA: V ratio. As the ratio increases so does the rate of diffusion.

Evaluation:
· The petri dish used could have been cubical in shape so as to allow more ease in
the measurement.
· The reaction time for stopping the digital stopwatch must be taken into account.