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emeraldisles's avatar

What affects the rate of diffusion?

Asked by emeraldisles (1949points) January 16th, 2012

What I mean is would the rate of diffusion of NO2 be greater than NH3. I know that the molar mass of NO2 is 46 g/mol. The molar mass of NH3 is 17 g/mol.Diffusion is the movement of materials from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration. So wouldn’t NO2 have a greater diffusion rate because it has a lesser molar mass?

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6 Answers

Adirondackwannabe's avatar

I haven’t worked with this in a long time but does mass affect diffusion?

Ayesha's avatar

Size of Molecules.
Shape of molecules.
The concentration gradient.
Temperature.
Charge.
Lipid Solubility.
Always remember, the molecule with lesser Mr value will diffuse faster.

emeraldisles's avatar

By lesser Mr value , do you mean the one with the lower molar mass?

Ayesha's avatar

Yes. By Mr value I meant molar mass.

Ayesha's avatar

Molecular weight/Mr is how much mass each particle has (how heavy it is). The heavier the particle, the slower it is going to move (assuming energy of the system remains constant).

For Example:
Methylene blue has a molecular weight about twice that of KMnO4 so it should take about twice as long to diffuse.

emeraldisles's avatar

Awesome I totally get what your saying. It actually makes sense.

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