The effect of concentration on rate of diffusion

Aim :
The aim of our investigation was to find out how the surface area of a
phenolphthalein agar jelly cube affected the rate of diffusion of HCl, which turned
the cube colorless.
Hypothesis :
My hypothesis is that the greater the surface area to volume ratio of the agar
cube the higher the rate of diffusion which is shown by the time taken to turn
colorless .
Apparatus :

Cutting Tile
Scalpel
Beakers
Measuring Cylinder
Stopwatch
Spatula
Agar Jelly Containing phenolphthalein
Hydrochloric Acid solution 1 moldm^-3
Ruler

Safety :

The experiment involves using hydrochloric acid, which is irritant and

potentially corrosive, so goggles must be worn and all the bottles must be
handled with care. If acid spills on hand rinse under cold water for 5-10
minutes.

Phenolphthalein is mildly irritant so care must be taken handling the bottle

and if it spills on the hand wash under cold running water immediately.

When using scalpel to cut the agar , it must be done carefully as the
blades may be sharp which can cut the skin .

When carrying the cutting tile handle with care because it can shatter if
dropped and fragments may enter the eye . So protection goggles must be
worn at all times despite a very low risk .

Method :
1. Setup a beaker containing enough Hydrochloric acid to completely submerge
the largest cube in HCl.
2. Take the block of agar jelly and cut 3 individual cubes of differing sizes to be
investigated using a ruler and scalpel on the spotting tile. (We used 0.2cm^3,
0.5cm^3, 1cm^3 , 1.5cm^3). Record the volume of these cubes as well as the
surface area.

Vishnu kaushik 12 w

3. Once the 3 cubes are cut with the correct dimensions and equal length sides,
drop the 3 cubes into the beaker setup in step 1 and start the stopwatch
immediately.
4. With the stopwatch running, carefully observe the cubes. Wait until the cube
turns from pink to colorless and then record the time at which it turns colorless.
5. Plot the results into a table and then plot a graph of rate of diffusion(s^-1)
against the surface to volume ration area of the cube.
Results :
Length of Sides of
agar jelly ( cm )

Volume
of
cube (cm^3)

Surface area
of
cube
(cm^2)

Surface
area
to
volume
ratio

Time taken for

agar
cube
containing
phenolphthalein
to turn colorless
(seconds)

Averag
e time
(secon
ds)

0.2

0.008

0.24

30

87.7

74.8

81.3

Aver
age
Rate
of
reac
tion
(100
0s^1)
12.3

0.5

0.125

1.50

12

203.
3

197.4

200.4

5.0

1.00

1.000

256.0

3.9

1.50

3.375

13.5

256.
0
311.
3

311.3

3.2

Conclusion:
From this experiment our results clearly show a trend. This trend is that as the
surface area to volume ratio of the cube decreases, the rate of diffusion also
decreases. This is in line with the hypothesis, which we predicted earlier.
Graph:

Vishnu kaushik 12 w

R
at
e
of
di
ff
u
si
o
n
(1
0
0
0
s
^
1)
Surface area to volume ratio
of the Agar cube with fixed
side lengths

Vishnu kaushik 12 w

Evaluation:
This experiment was prone to errors when recording the end point of the reaction.
This was because it was difficult to judge when the cube was completely colorless.
If I were to repeat this experiment I would ensure that I had a control that I could
compare the sample against to ensure when the endpoint was reached. Secondly
the hydrochloric acid came from multiple bottles which means that the batch from
which the acid came from is different, this could have lead to errors , next time I
must ensure all the products used are from a single batch . Lastly I will carry out
more repeats to ensure that the trend shown is valid because we only had enough
time for one complete set of results with not enough repeats.

Vishnu kaushik 12 w