Factors Affecting Diffusion
Science: KS3, topic 1.1.8
Factors Affecting Diffusion
The rate of diffusion can speed up or slow down based on the following factors:
Concentration gradient
- The concentration gradient is linked to the difference in concentration between two areas.
- The bigger the difference in concentration between two areas, the greater the concentration gradient and the faster the rate of diffusion.
Temperature
- The higher the temperature, the faster the rate of diffusion.
Membrane surface area
- The larger the surface area of the membrane that a substance is diffusing through (e.g. the membrane around a cell), the faster the rate of diffusion.
Test yourself on Factors Affecting Diffusion
Which factor does NOT affect the rate of diffusion across a membrane?
What would happen to the rate of diffusion if the concentration gradient became steeper and the temperature increased?
A gas jar has a high concentration of particles on the left side and a low concentration on the right side. Which way will the particles diffuse?