Lab #3

Date: October 8, 2021

Topic: Diffusion
Aim: To observe the process of diffusion
Materials/Apparatus: beaker, water, spatula, potassium permanganate, and petri dish

Method
A beaker was washed, dried and then placed on a flat surface. The beaker was filled with 200ml
of water and then allowed to stand for three minutes. The spatula was used to place a few
crystals of potassium permanganate into the water. The crystals were allowed to fall to the
bottom of the beaker and then allowed to stand. The beaker was covered with a petri dish and
allowed to stand for twenty-four hours. The final observations were made.

Observation:
A purple colour appeared at the base of the beaker after the addition of potassium permanganate
crystals, after 15 minutes the water started to change to a light purple colour indicating that the
molecules were slowly starting to spread out in the beaker. After waiting for 24 hours, the water
in the beaker became dark purple.

Discussion:
Diffusion is the movement of molecules from an area of high concentration to an area of low
concentration until they are evenly dispersed. Initially, when the crystals were placed in the
beaker they sank to the base of the beaker, this happened because the base of the beaker was
where high concentration of the molecules was occurring. After leaving the crystals in the water
for 24 hours, the crystals that were at the bottom of the beaker completely spread throughout the
entire beaker, this occurred because the molecules started to move from an area of high
concentration (at the bottom of the beaker) to an area of low concentration (to the other areas of
the beaker).

Conclusion:
On the basis of observation it can be concluded that Diffusion has occurred because the
molecules moved from an area of high concentration (base of the beaker) to an area of low
concentration in the beaker.
 Mark Scheme for CSEC Day School (May/June 2021)
 
IRWIN HIGH: BIOLOGY 
 
Lab #   4 
Date   
Title  Diffusion (potassium permanganate crystals in water) 
Skills  ORR           AI         MM          PD         D 
 
Criteria  Mark 
A  Organization:   
-appropriate subheadings  1 
-subheadings in logical sequence  1 
-subject matter under appropriate heading  1 
B  Reporting of Aim, Apparatus/Materials, Method and  
Diagram:   
-aim clearly stated  1 
- all equipment, materials used in experiment must be 1 
listed   
-method in logical sequenced steps  1 
-method is in past tense,  1 
-method; proper grammar   1  
-method is in passive   2 
-diagram follows rules of biological drawings (see drawing
rubric) 
C  Accuracy of recording observation:   
-statement of what happened when crystals were initially 1 
placed in water   
-statement of what happened after 24 hours  1 
  Total: 12
Marks