DIFFUSION IN COLLOID

Facon | Octavo | Ramos | Singson

08.30.2019
INTRODUCTION: DIFFUSION IN COLLOID
● A primary factor that affects diffusion rate in a medium such as water
(temperature constant) is the substance’s concentration.
● More concentrated substances diffuse faster. In a medium like gelatin,
however, there are large colloidal suspensions that affect diffusion.
● In such case, a primary factor affecting diffusion rate is the substances
molecular mass.
● It is well known that diffusion rate is inversely proportional to the
substance’s molecular mass.
● This is what we will test.
OBJECTIVES
● In this experiment, we aim to demonstrate how substances tend to
diffuse in colloidal mediums.
● We aim to show the relationship between molecular mass and diffusion
rate.
Materials and Methods
KMnO4 MB CR

test tubes with record distance

hardened gelatine travelled every 5 mins
Results
● KMnO4 - 158 g/mol Table 2.2. Distances (cm) Travelled by the
● MB - 319.85 g/mol Diffusion r ∝ 1/MM Reagents
● CR - 696.67 g/mol Mins KMnO4 MB CR

5 1.1 2.0 2.4

Table 2.1. Prediction VS Actual Results of
Diffusion Rate 10 1.2 2.4 6.5

Reagent Prediction Actual 15 1.3 9.0 9.0

KMnO4 fastest slowest 20 1.5 - -

MB moderate moderate 25 1.5 - -

CR slowest fastest 30 1.5 - -

Results cont...

Figure 2.1. Reagents after 30 mins

(from left: MB, CR, KMnO4)
Discussion
● Diffusion rate and molecular mass are inversely related, are they not?
● So what may have caused this peculiar result?

Possible reasons:

● Quality of the gel - consistency and composition

● Temperature of reagent - but unlikely
● Another one… to be discussed shortly
Conclusion
● Since results do not conform with theory (if not law), a proper conclusion
cannot be given yet. Improvements need to be made.
● There might be one major reason for the results: the set-up.
● Gravity takes effect in the (vertical) set-up. Heavier reagents are able to
force their way through the gel more.
● A safer set-up which does not take gravity into account is needed.
Suggested Set-up

Bailey, P.C., Hollman, D.C, Quarles, T. S. and Waits, E. D. (1970). Laboratory Guide for An Introduction to Modern Biology.
Pennsylvania, USA: International Textbook Co.