What is the Difference Between Molecular Motion and Diffusion?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚Molecular motion and diffusion are two different phenomena related to the movement of molecules in substances. Here are the main differences between them:
- Nature of Motion: Molecular motion is the random movement of molecules inside a substance without any applied external influence. In contrast, diffusion is the directed movement of molecules from a region of high concentration to a region of lower concentration through a concentration gradient.
- External Factors: Molecular motion is affected by external factors such as temperature and pressure. Diffusion, on the other hand, is affected by factors that affect the concentration gradient.
- Final Stage: Molecular motion occurs until the amount of molecules in the low concentration region and the high concentration region becomes equal, and the solution reaches equilibrium. In diffusion, molecules spread everywhere evenly in a solution.
In summary, molecular motion is the random movement of molecules inside a substance, while diffusion is the directed movement of molecules from a region of high concentration to a region of lower concentration through a concentration gradient. Molecular motion is affected by external factors like temperature and pressure, whereas diffusion is affected by factors that affect the concentration gradient.
Comparative Table: Molecular Motion vs Diffusion
Molecular motion and diffusion are two distinct phenomena related to the movement of particles in substances. Here is a table comparing the differences between them:
| Feature | Molecular Motion | Diffusion |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Molecular motion is the movement of molecules inside a substance without any external influence, such as temperature and pressure. | Diffusion is the movement of molecules from a region of high concentration to a low concentration via a concentration gradient. |
| Randomness | Yes, molecular motion is random. | No, diffusion is not random, as it is influenced by the concentration gradient. |
| Influence of Factors | Molecular motion is influenced by factors like temperature and pressure. | The rate of diffusion is affected by factors like concentration gradient, temperature, and molecular weight of the gas. |
| Mixing | Molecular motion contributes to the gradual mixing of gases even in the absence of mechanical agitation. | Diffusion is the gradual mixing of gases due to the motion of their component particles. |
In summary, molecular motion is the random movement of molecules within a substance, while diffusion is the movement of molecules from a region of high concentration to a low concentration based on a concentration gradient. Both phenomena contribute to the mixing of gases and particles in various substances.
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