 Definition:

Diffusion is relative flow of one material into another.

 Diffusion in Solids:
In solids, Diffusion occurs due to thermally activated random motion of atoms,
unless the material is at absolute zero temperature, individual atoms keep
vibrating and eventually move within the material.

 Example of Diffusion: -
1. (solid in solid):

1)If we write something on a black board and leave it uncleaned for a period say 10
- 15 days, we will find that it becomes quite difficult to clean the blackboard
afterwards. This is due to the fact that some of the particles of chalk have diffused
into surface of the board.

2)If two metals blocks are bound together tightly and kept undisturbed for a few
years, then the particles of one metal are found to have diffused into the other
metal.
3)Pure gold and pure lead will diffuse into each other.
4)Solid diffuses in to solid is the formation of alloy.
2. (liquid in solid):
1)When liquid diffuses in a solid like mercury is mixed with Zinc metal. Here
mercury is in liquid state whereas Zinc is in solid state.
 Difference:

Diffusion in Solid Diffusion in Liquid Diffusion in Gas

Diffusion does not happen
in solids because the
particles are not free to
move around and so they
cannot inter-mix
When substances dissolve When two or more
in liquids (like salt different gases, like oxygen
dissolving in water) the and nitrogen are mixed
substances spread out. they will mix themselves
We call this spreading out evenly. We call this mixing
of dissolved particles of particles diffusion. This
diffusion. The end result is due to the random
of this is that the solute movement of particles.
particles that have
dissolved in water will
spread out evenly. This
movement or spreading
out is due to the fact that
in liquids the particles are
moving randomly.

Example: Example: Example:

1)Formation of alloy
1)The spreading of purple
colour of potassium
permanganate into water,
on its own, is due to the
diffusion of potassium
1)Cigarette smoke diffuses
into the air.
2) The burning of the
incense stick or the air
fresheners
 permanganate particles
into water
2) Placing food colouring
in a liquid will diffuse the
colour

Diffusion of solids in Liquids: - We know that this process is known as

dissolution of a solid in liquid and this process has taken place due to the
diffusion of solid particles into liquid. Molecules of solute are in constant
random motion due to the collision between molecules of solute and that of the
solvent