INVESTIGATORY

PROJECT
ON
DIFFUSION OF SOLIDS
IN LIQUIDS

NAME: DISHA R
PATEL

STD: XII

ROLL NO 2
 INDEX
CONTENTS PAGE NO.

1. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

2. AIM

3. INTRODUCTION

4. OBJECTIVE

5. EXPERIMENT 1

6. EXPERIMENT 2

7. EXPERIMENT 3

8. RESULT

9. BIBLIOGRAPHY
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
This project has been developed in the chemical laboratory of
BRIGHT DAY SCHOOL,VADODARA. For successful completion of the
project named, “STUDY OF DIFFUSION OF SOLIDS IN LIQUIDS”. I would
like to thanks our working chemistry teacher Mrs. NIDHI for her
guidance and help I would like to thanks VISHAL SIR for providing me
the lab apparatus.

At the end I would like to thanks all those who were associated with
me, whose cooperation made the development of the project a
worthy experience.
INTRODUCTION

Diffusion is the chemical process when molecules from a

material move from an area of high concentration (where there are
lots of molecules) to an area of low concentration (where there are
fewer molecules). This happens through otherwise random
movement. Diffusion usually happens in a gas although it can happen
in a liquid. It is possible to see diffusion happening when two liquids
are mixed in a transparent container. It describes the constant
movement of particles in all liquids and gases. These particles move
in all directions bumping into each other. Diffusion may be also
referred as the process by which molecules intermingle as a result of
their kinetic energy of random motion. The diffusion process
continues until a homogenous solution is obtained.
The diffusion of solute into solvent is, in fact, a bilateral process. The
characteristics are as follows:

 Solute molecules moving up into the solvent.

 The solvent molecules moving down into the solution.

This inter-mixing of solute and solvent molecules is a continuous

process and ultimately a solution of uniform concentration is formed.
Thus Diffusion can be defined as
"The tendency to equalize concentration in all parts of the solution
which is responsible for the diffusion of the solute."Hence, the
diffusion of any solute can also take place when two solutions of
unequal concentrations are kept in same vessel or in contact.
The diffusion takes place very rapidly in case of gases and to a lesser
extent in case of liquids, whereas solids do not show this process of
diffusion with each other. But what we can observe in case of solids is
that the diffusion of solids in liquids takes place at a very slow rate. If
a solid is kept in contact with an excess of solvent in which it is
soluble, some portion of the solid gets dissolved. We know that this
process is known as dissolution of a solid in liquid and this process
has taken place due to the diffusion of solid particles into liquid.
Molecules of solute are in constant random motion due to the
collision between molecules of solute and that of the solvent.

Also as the temperature is raised, kinetic energy of molecules

increases which thereby increases the number of collisions. Particles
of different substances move at different rates
e.g.,
when different colored inks are placed in water at constant
temperature, they diffuse at different rates. The speed of the
movement of solid particles depends upon
(a) Temperature
(b) Size of the particles
(c) Mass of the particle.

Also the particles of larger mass will have slow rate diffusion because
force of gravity slows down the upward rate of diffusion.
OBJECTIVE

Rate of diffusion depends upon:-

 Temperature: As temperature increases, the kinetic

energy of the particles increases so the speed of
particles also increases which thus increases the rate
of diffusion.

 Size of the particle: As the size of particle increases,

rate of diffusion decreases.

 Mass of the particle: As the mass of the particle

increases the rate of diffusion decreases.
EXPERIMENT NO 1

AIM: To study diffusion when copper sulphate is brought

in contact with water (liquid).
REQUIREMENTS: Copper sulphate crystals, 100ml beaker.
PROCEDURE:

Ø Take about 2g of copper sulphate crystals in 100ml beaker.

Ø Add about 50ml of water and allow it to stand for few
minutes.
Ø Note the development of blue colour in water.
Ø Allow to stand further till it is observed that all copper
sulphate disappears.
Ø Note the violet colour change in water.
Ø Repeat the above steps in another beaker with the same
amount of COPPER SULPHATE but stir the solution for
sometime till a homogenous mixture is obtained.
Ø Note the time taken for the solid to get diffuse in both the
different cases under a constant temperature.
OBSERVATIONS:

BEAKER NO. TREATMENT TIME TAKEN FOR

GIVEN COMPLETE
DISSOLUTION
1. UNDISTURBED

2. STIRRED

DISCUSSION: Stirring facilitates the diffusion of the copper

sulphate in water. This is probably due to increase in the
kinetic energy i.e., randomness of the molecules of solid
particles by both stirring and increase in temperature of the
system.

CONCLUSION: When solids such as copper sulphate,

potassium permanganate are brought in contact with liquids
such as water, intermixing of substances, i.e. diffusion takes
place. Also the rate of diffusion of a solid in a liquid increases
on stirring
EXPERIMENT NO 2
AIM: To study the rate of diffusion of solids in a liquid is
dependent on the molecular mass of the solids.

REQUIREMENTS:
Two 250 mL beakers, measuring cylinder, stop watch

CHEMICALS:
Potassium dichromate, copper sulphate and distilled water.

PROCEDURE:
1. Powder potassium dichromate and copper sulphate well in
a clean pestle and mortar, weigh 2 g of each.
2. Take 100 mL of distilled water in a clean beaker with the
help of a measuring cylinder.
3. Add 2 g of potassium dichromate into it and immediately
start a stop watch. Note the time for complete dissolution of
the dichromate.
4. Similarly, find out three times for complete dissolution of
2 g of the powdered copper sulphate in 100 mL of water.

OBSERVATION:
Room temperature = 27°C
Weight of the solid taken = 2 g
Volume of distilled water taken each time = 100 mL
Molecular mass of CuSO4 = 249.5 g/mol
Molecular mass of K2Cr2O7 = 294 g/mol
Molecular mass of Cu ion =63.5 g/mol
Molecular mass of Cr2O7 ion =216 g/mol
Time for complete dissolution of K2Cr2O7 = _ _
Time for complete dissolution of CuSO4 =_ _

DISCUSSION:
It is observed that time taken for complete dissolution of
CuSO4 is less as compared to the time taken for complete
dissolution of the same amount of potassium dichromate.
Thus, it can be said that rate of diffusion of a solid in a liquid
depends upon the nature of the solid and their molecular
masses, other conditions remaining same. Diffusion rate of
potassium dichromate having higher molecular mass than
copper sulphate is slower as compared to copper sulphate.
That is rate of diffusion of solids in liquids is inversely
proportional to the molecular mass of the solid, if other
conditions are same.

CONCLUSION:
Rate of diffusion of a solid in a liquid depends upon molecular
mass of the solid.
EXPERIMENT NO 3
AIM: To study the effect of temperature on the rate of
diffusion of solids in liquids

REQUIREMENTS: Copper sulphate crystals, 200ml beaker,

watch glass, wire gauge, burner, tripod stand, thermometer
and stop watch.

PROCEDURE:
Ø Take 5g of copper sulphate each in three beakers.
Ø Pour 100ml of distilled water slowly in one of the beakers.
Ø Cover this beaker with a watch glass.
Ø Pour 100ml of cold water in a second beaker slowly.
Ø Place a third beaker containing 100ml of water on a tripod
stand for heating.
Ø Observe the diffusion process which begins in all the
beakers.
Ø Record the time taken for the dissolution of copper
sulphate in all the three cases.
OBSERVATIONS:

BEAKER NO. TEMPERATURE OF TIME TAKEN

WATER

1 27

2 12

3 55

CONCLUSION: The Rate of diffusion of copper sulphate in

water is in the order of Beaker 3 > Beaker 1 > Beaker 2. Thus,
the rate of diffusion varies directly with temperature.

H2O (27 C) H2O(12 C) H2O(55 C)

RESULT

 Solid particles and undergo diffusion when they come in

contact with liquids.
 Small particles undergo diffusion more quickly than bigger
particles.

 When solids such as copper sulphate, potassium

permanganate are brought in contact with liquid such as
water, intermixing of the substances, i.e. diffusion takes
place.

 The rate of diffusion varies directly with temperature.

BILBLIOGRAPHY

1. NCERT Biology and chemistry Textbook

2. WIKIPEDIA

3. Diffusionmag.com

4. MERIAMWEBSTER.COM

5. bbc.co.uK