1) Diffusion Rate

CHEMICAL DIFFUSION
IN AGAR

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Experiment #1
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 Diffusion is a process of
equalization which
involves movement of
molecules from an area of
high concentration to an
area of low concentration

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 This exercise investigates
diffusion as it applies to
movement of particles in a
semi-solid material called
agar

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 Molecules are in a constant
state of motion
The motion of these
molecules are influenced
by many factors

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 FACTORS INFLUENCING
DIFFUSION
1) Kinetic Energy
2) Nature of the environment
3) Size of the molecules

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 KINETIC ENERGY

The driving force which causes

the molecules to move

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 NATURE OF THE ENVIRONMENT

The agar environment we will be

using is a semisolid material
through which we will measure the
rate of diffusion of substances with
different molecular size

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the Exercise on Chemical
Diffusion in Agar
 SIZE OF THE MOLECULES

Smaller molecules move faster

than larger molecules

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 LAB REPORT
You will need to supply the
following in your lab report for this
experiment #1
1) Data Table for Diffusion of
Different Molecular Weights
2) Answers to questions 1-4

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the Exercise on Chemical
Diffusion in Agar

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Table you will need for
this experiment
 Procedure
1) Obtain two test tubes with
agar
*You can obtain the test tubes
Test tube rack

by clicking on the test tube

rack on the shelf to the left

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structions on the Blackboard
 Procedure
2) Mark the test tubes as
#1 and #2
*If you click on the pencil
lying on the shelf to the left
you can mark the tubes

1 2

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structions on the Blackboard
 Procedure
3) Add a small amount of
methylene blue to test tube #1
*You can click on the blue
eyedropper lying on the shelf
to the left to add the dye

1 2

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Instructions on the Blackboard
 Procedure
4) Quickly click on the START button on
the timer and record on your printed
Data Sheet every 15 minutes the
distance the dye has moved through
the agar
*You can measure the progress of the
dye by observing the mm marks on
the test tubes

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10:00
05:00 again

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 Procedure
5) Add a small amount of
potassium permanganate to
test tube #2
*You can click on the green
eyedropper lying on the shelf to
the left to add the dye

1 2

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Instructions on the Blackboard
 Procedure
6) Quickly click on the START button on
the timer placed on the table and
record every 15 minutes the distance
the dye has moved through the agar
*You can measure the progress of the
dye by observing the mm marks on
the test tubes

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1 2 you messed
START
up and
would like
to try this
experiment
00:00
60:00
55:00
50:00
45:00
40:00
35:00
30:00
25:00
20:00
15:00
10:00
05:00 again

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Instructions on the Blackboard
 DIFFUSION OF DYE IN AGAR

Click the Play

button to view
the diffusion of
dye in an agar
plate. Which
chemical would
you propose is
smaller the RED
or BLUE?
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 DATA
At this point you should have
collected diffusion distance data for
methylene blue and potassium
permanganate
Include your data tables with your
lab report when you are finished

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Data Table for Diffusion of Different Molecular Weights view a page to
Methylene blue (molecular weight of 320) print for your
Time 15 min 30 min 45 min 60 min Data Table
Distance
Potassium permanganate (molecular weight of 158)
Time 15 min 30 min 45 min 60 min
Distance

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Instructions on the Blackboard
 Questions
Answer the questions (1-4) for
this experiment
Hand your answers in with your
lab report

1) What are the three things which influence the

movement of molecules (and particles)?
2) In agar, what size of molecules move the fastest?
3) Which dye, the methylene blue or the potassium
permanganate, diffused at the fastest rate?
4) Why did one dye diffuse faster than the other?

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Instructions on the Blackboard
 At this point you have
finished experiment #1 for
this lab
Would you like to end your
session or continue to the
next experiment?

End this Session

Continue to Experiment #2
(PASSIVE MOVEMENT)

Continue to Experiment #3
(OSMOSIS AND DIALYSIS)
 Data Table for Diffusion of Different
Molecular Weights
Methylene blue (molecular weight of 320)
Time 15 min 30 min 45 min 60 min
Distance
in mm
Potassium permanganate (molecular weight of 158)
Time 15 min 30 min 45 min 60 min
Distance
in mm

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Experiment #1 Table if you are Online