Question

Why does diffusion occur more slowly in liquids than in gases? Why does diffusion occur extremely slowly in solids?

Short answer

Diffusion is slower in liquids than in gases because liquid molecules are closer together and move slower due to intermolecular forces. In solids, diffusion is extremely slow because the molecules are tightly packed and only vibrate in place.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding Diffusion in Gases

Diffusion in gases occurs quickly because gas molecules move at high speeds and are relatively far apart, making it easier for them to spread out and mix with other gas molecules.

Understanding Diffusion in Liquids

In liquids, the molecules are closer together and move slower than in gases due to intermolecular forces, which causes diffusion to happen more slowly than in gases.

Understanding Diffusion in Solids

In solids, the molecules are tightly packed and typically vibrate in place, meaning diffusion can only occur over long periods as atoms exchange places, which makes diffusion extremely slow.

Key concepts

Diffusion in Gases

Imagine a room with a scented candle lit at one corner. Soon enough, the fragrance spreads throughout the room. This is a classic example of diffusion in gases. In gases, molecules are far apart and move rapidly in all directions. The random and high-speed movement of gas molecules makes it easy for them to mix with each other, allowing diffusion to occur relatively quickly.

Their movement is largely uninhibited because there are minimal intermolecular forces at play. This means that gas particles collide and spread out, distributing themselves evenly over time, which is why we can smell the candle fragrance from any corner of the room.

Diffusion in Liquids

When you add a drop of food coloring to a glass of water, it is fascinating to watch the color slowly spread out until it uniformly colors the liquid. Diffusion in liquids, such as this example, occurs more slowly than in gases. The particles are closer together and their motion is somewhat restricted by stronger intermolecular forces compared to gases.

These forces draw the particles towards each other and thus reduce their capacity to move freely. Though the particles still move randomly, they do so at slower speeds and have less spacing to navigate through, resulting in a more gradual process of diffusion.

Diffusion in Solids

Diffusion in solids is not something we often observe with the naked eye, and that is because it takes place at an exceptionally slow rate. Consider the process of iron rusting; it is a form of diffusion where oxygen molecules slowly penetrate the metal.

Solid particles do not have the freedom to move around because they are tightly packed together in a lattice structure. Their movement is usually limited to vibrations about fixed points. Over extended periods, atoms can switch places, leading to diffusion, but this process is so gradual it can take years for noticeable changes to occur.

Intermolecular Forces

Intermolecular forces are invisible connections between molecules that greatly affect how substances behave. These forces include different types of attractions—such as hydrogen bonds, dipole-dipole interactions, and London dispersion forces—which vary in strength.

In gases, where diffusion is fast, these forces are weak, allowing for free molecular motion. Contrastingly, in liquids, these forces are stronger, causing molecules to stick closer together, slowing down diffusion. And in solids, the forces are strongest, effectively locking the molecules in place and making diffusion a very slow process.

Molecular Motion

Molecular motion refers to the movement of molecules in different states of matter. Gas molecules move wildly and at high speeds, bouncing off each other and their container's walls, contributing to quick diffusion.

In liquids, molecules slide past each other due to their intermediate speed and the flexibility offered by the liquid state, making diffusion possible but slower than gases. Solids experience the least molecular motion, with particles primarily vibrating in place, which is why diffusion in solids is a very slow process.