ERIC Number: EJ1313049
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2021-Oct
Pages: 5
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0021-9584
EISSN: N/A
Diffusion of Gases into Air: A Simple Small-Scale Laboratory Activity
Kallepalli, Samaya; Johnson, Lydia; Mattson, Bruce
Journal of Chemical Education, v98 n10 p3258-3262 Oct 2021
Thomas Graham discovered the law that bears his name while studying gas diffusion into air and other gases. He also found that the same relationship held with gas effusion, the movement of gases through a pinhole into a vacuum. Modern understanding of diffusion and effusion is based on kinetic-molecular theory, and it is generally accepted that Graham's law as originally stated holds for effusion. Diffusion is more complicated, involving intermolecular collisions and composition gradients. This article describes a simple laboratory activity in which diffusion of gases into air though an open syringe is studied over time. The activity could be adapted and modified into an inquiry-based independent study activity or undergraduate research project.
Descriptors: Chemistry, Scientific Concepts, Scientific Principles, Kinetics, Molecular Structure, Science Activities, Science Laboratories, Inquiry, Active Learning, Independent Study, Undergraduate Students, Scientific Research, Student Research
Division of Chemical Education, Inc. and ACS Publications Division of the American Chemical Society. 1155 Sixteenth Street NW, Washington, DC 20036. Tel: 800-227-5558; Tel: 202-872-4600; e-mail: eic@jce.acs.org; Web site: http://pubs.acs.org/jchemeduc
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A