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The Effect of Molecular Weight on the Rate of Diffusion

Of Substances

Lira B. Espirituoso
Group 3 BioTeens Sec. K 1L

February 17, 2015

_____________________
1 A scientific paper submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements in Biology 10
laboratory under Mr. Junaldo A. Mantiquilla, 2 nd sem., 2014-2015.

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ABSTRACT
The effect of the molecular weight of the substances was
tested using petri dishes with agar wells. Using the gel as a medium
of diffusion, the drops of potassium permanganate, potassium
dichromate and methylene blue was simultaneously placed on the
petri dish with agar wells. Every after three minute interval of thirty
minutes, the diameter of diffusion was measured. The methylene
blue, which has the largest molecular weight among the three, has
the lowest diffusion rate with 0.067 mm/min. This satisfies the
hypothesis that the larger the molecular weight, the slower the rate
of diffusion.

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INTRODUCTION
According to Wikipedia, diffusion is the net movement of a substance (e.g., an
atom, ion or molecule) from a region of high concentration to a region of low
concentration. The word diffusion is derived from the Latin word, "diffundere", which
means "to spread out" (if a substance is spreading out, it is moving from an area of high
concentration to an area of low concentration).
Diffusion is the result of the kinetic properties of particles of matter. The particles
will mix until they are evenly distributed. In terms of the phases of matter, the rapid
diffusion takes place in gas, low extent on liquids, and none at all in solids. For example,
spray a perfume in a particular area of room, the people who are farther from the area
can notice a faint smell around the area. In liquids, pour drops of colored liquid in a clear
water. The particles of the substance will keep on colliding and bouncing until they are
evenly distributed on the medium or area.
These are some of the several factors that may affect the rate of diffusion.
Temperature, as this increases, the kinetic energy of the particles increases thus
increases the rate of diffusion. Size of the particle, as it increases, the rate of diffusion
decreases because the particles becomes less mobile when it is bigger. Mass of the
particle, as it increases, the rate of diffusion decreases because it is less mobile.
The researcher arrived at a hypothesis that the increase in the size of the particle
of a substance, decreases its rate of diffusion. To test this hypothesis, a set-up was made
where in the researcher used an agar well with drops of potassium permanganate

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(KMnO4), potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7) and methylene blue. These substances

have different colors so it is identifiable within a period of thirty minutes.
The experiment was conducted to determine the effect of the molecular weight on
the rate of the diffusion with respect to the time. The experiment was conducted outside
the College of Science and Mathematics, University of the Philippines Mindanao on the
10th of February, 2015.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

For the experimental set-up, the researchers used a petri dish with agar wells.
These substances were used: Potassium permanganate (KMnO4), Potassium
dichromate (K2Cr2O7), and Methylene blue. These substances have distinct colors and
different molecular weight. KMnO4 has a purple color with a molecular weight of 158
g/mol; K2Cr2O7 has a yellow color with a molecular weight of 294 g/mol; and Methylene
blue that has a blue color and has a molecular weight of 374 g/mol. A drop of each
substance was placed in the wells and initial diameters were measured. The petri dish
was covered to avoid exposure to the air which may affect the diffusion rates. The rate of
diffusion was measured every three minute interval of thirty minutes.

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RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

To be able to confirm the hypothesis that the rate of diffusion is slower when the
molecular weight is bigger, the agar-gel set-up was used.
Table 4.2 Rate of Diffusion of the Subtances
Diameter (mm)
Time
(Minute)

Potassium permanganate (MW 158)

Potassium dichromate (MW 294)

Methylene Blue (MW 374)

0
3
6
9
12
15
18
21
24
27
30

10
13
14
15
16
18
19
20
21
21
22

10
11
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
20

10
10
11
11
11
11
11
11
12
12
12

It is shown in the table 4.2 the measured diameter (mm) every three minute interval
of 30 minutes of the substances. The methylene blue with the biggest molecular weight
has the slowest rate of diffusion compared to potassium permanganate which has the
smallest molecular weight and has the fastest rate of diffusion.

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Table 4.3 Partial and Average Rates of Diffusion of the Substances

Partial Rates of Diffusion (mm/min.)

Time Elapsed
(Min.)

Potassium permanganate

Potassium dichromate

Methylene blue

3
6
9
12
15
18
21
24
27
30

1
0.333
0.333
0.333
0.67
0.333
0.333
0.333
0
0.333

0.333
0.67
0.333
0.333
0.333
0.333
0.333
0.333
0.333
0

0
0.333
0
0
0
0
0
0.333
0
0

Average Rate of
Diffusion
(mm/min.)

0.4001

0.334

0.067

Figure 4.1 Initial diameter measured

Figure 4.2 Final diameter measured

In the fig. 4.1 and fig. 4.2, the substance with the color red which is the KMnO4
has the largest diffusion zone while the methylene blue has the smallest diffusion zone.

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Figure 4.3 Average Rate of Diffusion Compared to Molecular Weight

Figure 4.4 Representation of the Partial Rate of Diffusion through a Line Graph

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According to the tables and figures shown, the methylene blue which has the
largest molecular weight has the lowest rate of diffusion and the potassium permanganate
which has smallest molecular weight has the fastest rate of diffusion among the three
substances that were tested.
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
To confirm the hypothesis that the increase in molecular weight, decreases the
rate of diffusion, the agar-gel set-up with three wells was used. A drop of KMnO4,
K2Cr2O7, and methylene blue was simultaneously placed on the wells. The diameter
was measured every three minute interval of thirty minutes. Based on the data
presented, it showed that KMnO4 has the largest diameter among the three
substances. It also diffuses the fastest and has the highest average diffusion compared
to the other two substances.
Thus, molecular weight affects the rate of diffusion. As the molecular weight
increases, the rate of diffusion decreases. As the rate of diffusion slows down, the
particles of the substance reaches its equilibrium state. Still, there are still other factors
that affect the rate of diffusion.

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LITERATURE CITED

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diffusion

http://www.slideshare.net/masudhameher/rate-of-diffusion

http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks3/science/chemical_material_behaviour/behavio
ur_of_matter/revision/4/