Diffusion

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  • Diffusion
    • Diffusion is the net movement of particles from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentartaion
    • Diffusion happens in both liquids and gases
      • This is becuase the particles in each substance (liquid + Gas) are free to move randomly
        • An example would be when the smell of perfume diffuses through the air in a room
          • This is when gases diffuse through each other
    • Cell Membranes
      • Only very small molecules can diffuse through cell membranes - such as things like simple sugars, water or ions
        • Particles flow through the cell membrane when there is a higher concentration to where there is a lower concentration
      • Big molecules such as starch and proteins cannot pass through the membrane
    • Rate of diffusion
      • Distance: Substances diffuse quicker when they don't have very far to move
      • Concentration difference: Substances will diffuse faster if there is a large difference in concentartion
      • Surface area: the more surface area there is for molecules to move across, the faster they can get from one side to the other

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