Name: ________________

Set: ______

Factors affecting the

Rate of Diffusion
Chemistry MYP Yr. 5

Statement of Inquiry:
The balance and quantity of particles as they move and collide to form new substances in chemical
reactions can be derived using mathematical principles discovered by historical scientists.

Introduction:
The rate of diffusion can be studied by the reaction between an acid and a base. Agar gel prepared with
NaOH and phenolphthalein is placed into a graduated cylinder and left to set. When acid is dropped on to
the agar gel, the acid diffuses into the gel and causes a color change due to the reaction with the NaOH.

Objective:
You will design a lab investigation to test one of the factors that affects the rate of diffusion. The
equipment available to you is shown below. You may chose any other additional equipment as you see
appropriate.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xs_ilcbtbq8

Your work will be evaluated based on Criterion B. See below the task-specific clarifications for more
details.

1
ATL skills:
Communication è Communication è
• Give and receive meaningful feedback (Lab)
• Use appropriate forms of writing for different purposes and audiences (Lab)
• Read a variety of sources for information and for research (lab)
• Paraphrase accurately and concisely (lab)
• Organize and depict information logically (investigation)
• Structure information in summaries, reports

Self-Management è Organization è
• Plan short and long term assignments; meet deadlines
• Create plans to prepare for summative assessments (examinations and performances)
• Plan strategies and take action to achieve personal and academic goals

Self-Management è reflectionè
• Demonstrate flexibility in the selection and use of learning strategies (interest of
investigation to reach the desired aim)

Thinking è critical thinking è

• Draw reasonable conclusions and generalizations

Thinking è creativity and innovation

• Make guesses and generate testable hypotheses

Command terms (criterion B)

Describe Give a detailed account or picture of a situation, event, pattern or process
Design Produce a plan, simulation or model
Explain Give a detailed account including reasons or causes
Formulate Express precisely and systematically the relevant concept(s) or argument(s)
Outline Give a brief account
State Give a specific name, value or other brief answer without explanation or
calculation

2
Criterion B: Inquiring and designing Maximum: 8

Achiev
ement Level descriptor Task-specific clarification
level
The student does not reach a standard described by You did not reach a standard described by any of the
0 any of the descriptors given below. descriptors given below.
The student is able to: You were able to:
i. state a problem or question to be tested by a i. state a problem or question to be tested that contains the
scientific investigation independent and dependent variables
1-2 ii. outline a testable hypothesis ii. outline a hypothesis
iii. outline the variables iii. outline in the method the independent, dependent and
iv. design a method, with limited success controlled variables
iv. design a the method with limited success.
The student is able to: You were able to:
i. outline a problem or question to be tested by a i. outline a problem or question to be tested that contained
scientific investigation the independent and dependent variables
ii. formulate a testable hypothesis using scientific ii. formulate a hypothesis and use scientific reasoning to say
reasoning why it is done this way
3-4 iii. outline how to manipulate the variables, and iii. outline how to manipulate the independent variable;
outline how relevant data will be collected collect the dependent variable; how to control the
iv. design a safe method in which he or she selects controlled variables and outline how to collect the multiple
materials and equipment. sets of the data
iv. design a method that is safe and contains the equipment
used.
The student is able to: You were able to:
i. describe a problem or question to be tested by i. describe a problem or question to be tested that contains
a scientific investigation the independent and dependent variables
ii. formulate and explain a testable hypothesis ii. formulate a hypothesis and use scientific reasoning to
using scientific reasoning explain why it is done this way
5-6 iii. describe how to manipulate the variables, and iii. describe in the method how to manipulate the
describe how sufficient, relevant data will be independent variable; collect the dependent variable
collected (including units and measuring equipment); how to control
iv. design a complete and safe method in which he the controlled variables and describe how to collect the
or she selects appropriate materials and multiple sets of the data
equipment. iv. design a method that is complete and safe and contains the
equipment (amounts and sizes) used
The student is able to: You were able to:
i. explain a problem or question to be tested by a i. explain a problem or question to be tested that contains
scientific investigation the independent and dependent variables
ii. formulate and explain a testable hypothesis ii. formulate a hypothesis and use scientific reasoning to
using correct scientific reasoning explain why it is done this way
7-8 iii. explain how to manipulate the variables, and iii. explain in the method how to manipulate the independent
explain how sufficient, relevant data will be variable; collect the dependent variable (including units
collected and measuring equipment); how to control the controlled
iv. design a logical, complete and safe method in variables and explain how to collect the multiple sets of the
which he or she selects appropriate materials data
and equipment. iv. design a method that is easy to follow, complete and safe
and also contains the equipment (amounts and sizes) used.