Name: Ariel Williams

Grade: 10B

Date: 02/10/24

Title: Diffusion

Aim: To investigate the rate of diffusion of gases.

Materials: Apparatus:

-​ Concentrated Ammonia Solution - Glass Tube

-​ Concentrated Hydrochloric Acid - 3- 100 mL Beakers

-​ Distilled Water - Stirring Rod

-​ 4 Cotton Balls - Ruler

-​ 2 Stoppers - Wash Bottle

-​ Universal Indicator Strip - Scissors

-​ Gloves - Stopwatch

-​ Data Recording Sheet - Pencil

Method
1.​ A length of universal indicator paper was measured and cut.
2.​ 2cm intervals were marked along the strip of universal paper, using a pencil and ruler.
3.​ A strip of universal indicator was slightly moistened, using distilled water.
4.​ The moistened strip was placed to run along the inside of the glass tube.
5.​ A cotton ball was saturated using concentrated ammonia solution and another was
saturated using concentrated hydrochloric acid.
6.​ Each cotton ball was placed at the end of the glass tube, followed immediately by
stoppers. Simultaneously, a stopwatch was started.
7.​ The time taken for the universal indicator to change colour from both ends of the glass
tube towards the location of a formed white ring was recorded in a table.

Variables

Independent Dependent Control

-​ The type of gas being -​ The distance each gas -​ Environmental

tested (ammonia or travels, which is a temperature.
hydrochloric acid). precise indicator of -​ The ammonia and
the rate of diffusion. hydrochloric acid
concentration and
volume.
-​ Distance along which
diffusion takes place,
measured in the
diffusion tube.
-​ The laboratory's
humidity and air
pressure levels.
-​ Maintaining a
consistent approach to
the gas release.
Results

Name: Ariel Williams

Class: 10B
Date: 02/ 10/24
Lab #2
Title: Diffusion

Gas Time (s) Distance (cm)

Ammonia 447 20.9

Hydrochloric Chloride 447 8.5

Data Analysis

1.​ Diffusion is the net movement of molecules from an area of higher concentration to an
area of lower concentration until the particles are evenly distributed, following a
concentration gradient.

2.​ The perpetual random motion of particles, propelled by kinetic energy, causes them to
disperse. They are initially concentrated in one place, but then they start to clash and
expand outward, following a concentration gradient from high concentration locations to
low concentration areas. Continue doing this until the particles have reached equilibrium
and are dispersed equally throughout the space.
3.​ Done on Graph Paper.

4.​

5.​ The graph displays the difference in the diffusion rates of ammonia (NH3) and
hydrochloric acid (HCl) during a period of 447 seconds. Because ammonia has a smaller
molecular weight (17 g/mol) than hydrochloric acid (36.5 g/mol), it diffuses more quickly
than hydrochloric acid, which only covered 8.5 cm on a considerably shallower gradient.
Ammonia traveled 20.9 cm on a steeper gradient. The graph confirms that gases with
lower molecular mass, like ammonia, diffuse more quickly than gases with higher
molecular mass, such hydrochloric acid, which has a more gradual and slower diffusion
gradient.
 6.​

7.​ Ammonia's smaller molecular weight (17 g/mol vs. 36.5 g/mol) and higher kinetic energy
enable it to flow and diffuse as a gas more quickly than hydrochloric acid.

8.​ The balanced chemical equation for forming the product that causes the white ring to
appear is N𝐻3 (aq) + HCl (aq) → N𝐻4Cl (aq).

9.​ The product formed from the reaction between ammonia gas (NH3) and hydrogen
chloride gas (HCl) is Ammonium chloride (NH4Cl).

Discussion
In this lab, the diffusion rates of hydrochloric acid (HCl) and ammonia (NH3) over a period of
447 seconds were examined. Ammonia traveled 20.9 cm, according to the results, but
hydrochloric acid only traveled 8.5 cm.
The noticed significant difference in diffusion rates is consistent with Graham's Law of Effusion,
which proposes that the diffusion rate is inversely related to the molecular weight of a gas
squared. Since ammonia has a higher average speed and kinetic energy than hydrochloric acid
(36.5 g/mol), it can diffuse more quickly because it is significantly lighter. Lighter gas molecules
diffuse through the surrounding medium more quickly because of their faster velocity, which
causes more collisions.
The experiment also illustrates how temperature and concentration affect diffusion. Diffusion
rates accelerate at higher temperatures because molecule kinetic energy is increased. Since both
gases in this experiment were probably at similar temperatures, the effects of molecular weight
were well isolated. Higher concentrations produce a steeper concentration gradient, which
increases the diffusion rate; however, initial concentrations are also important.
It is crucial to take into account the materials' physical conditions. Generally found as a gas,
ammonia can dissolve in water to generate ammonium hydroxide, although hydrochloric acid
can exist in both gaseous and aqueous forms. We were better able to compare the diffusion rates
by concentrating on their gaseous states. It is possible that the results were influenced by the
equipment setup and environmental factors, indicating that diffusion may be studied in various
states or settings in the future.
In conclusion, this lab confirms that lighter gases like ammonia diffuse more rapidly than heavier
gasses like hydrochloric acid, reinforcing the principles of gas diffusion. The findings illustrate
the critical roles of molecular weight, kinetic energy, temperature, and concentration in
understanding gas behavior, laying the groundwork for further investigations into gas diffusion
dynamics.
Sources of Errors
-​ Human mistakes or limits in the precision of measuring instruments may cause errors in
the measurement of the beginning and finishing points for the diffusion of each gas.
-​ Subjective judgment when taking measurements or timing could introduce bias and affect
how accurate the results are.
-​ Results could be distorted by small leaks in the setup or contamination from other gases
in the laboratory interfering with the diffusion process.
-​ Since temperature directly affects the kinetic energy of gas molecules, slight temperature
variations during the experiment may have an impact on the diffusion rates.
-​ Diffusion rates may be impacted by uneven gas release or variations in the initial
amounts of hydrochloric acid and ammonia.

Limitations
-​ The lack of great precision in the measuring instruments may cause errors while
recording distances.
-​ Timing or distance measurement errors might produce unreliable results and undermine
the validity of the data.
-​ It's possible that some environmental elements, including fluctuating humidity and
temperature, which can have an impact on diffusion rates, were overlooked in the
experiment.
-​ The experiment's supposition of optimal gas behavior might not hold true in all
circumstances, which could distort the findings.

Precautions
-​ To get precise measures, make sure all measuring instruments—such as stopwatches and
rulers—are in good working order and are calibrated.
-​ Minimize variations in temperature and humidity, as these factors might impact diffusion
rates, by conducting experiments in a controlled setting.
-​ To guarantee a fair comparison of the diffusion rates of the gases, release them uniformly
and at a constant pace.
-​ Wear protective goggles, gloves, and a lab coat when working with ammonia and
hydrochloric acid as these substances can be hazardous.
-​ When conducting experiments, follow all safety and protocol instructions to guarantee
reliable and secure outcomes.
-​ Utilize unadulterated ammonia and hydrochloric acid samples to prevent any
contamination that can affect the outcome.

Conclusion
To sum up, the purpose of this experiment was to compare ammonia (NH3) with hydrochloric
acid (HCl) to examine the rate of gas diffusion. The data demonstrated that ammonia diffused
much more quickly, covering 20.9 cm in 447 seconds as opposed to 8.5 cm for hydrochloric acid.
This provides evidence in favour of the theory that lighter gasses spread faster because of their
smaller molecular weight. Overall, the study supported the idea that the physical characteristics
of gasses affect the pace of diffusion and offered important new information about the dynamics
of gas diffusion.
References

-​ G420: Graham’s Law of Diffusion – NH3 and HCl Diffusion. (2015, December 23).
Lecture Demonstration Manual General Chemistry.
https://www.colorado.edu/lab/lecture-demomanual/g420-grahams-law-diffusion-nh3-and-
hcl-diffusion

-​ Guest. (n.d.). Chemistry SBA (Lab) - PDFCOFFEE.COM. pdfcoffee.com.

https://pdfcoffee.com/chemistry-sba-lab-pdf-free.html

-​ Schwartz, M. (2019). Diffusion (p. 1) [PDF]. the. (2017, March 9). What is the balanced
chemical equation that describes the reaction between ammonia and hydrochloric acid? |
Socratic. Socratic.org. https://socratic.org/questions/58c088d77c014933f9405c1c

-​ Studocu. (n.d.-a). Chemistry Lab Manual[ 12481 ] - Table of Contents Number Lab Title
Page Skills 1 Diffusion of - Studocu.
https://www.studocu.com/row/document/immaculate-conception-high-school/chemistry/c
hemistry-lab-manual-12481/22637643

-​ Studocu. (n.d.-b). Experiment #2 - Diffusion of gases Lab Report - Experiment 2 –

Diffusion of gases Student name: - Studocu.
https://www.studocu.com/en-ca/document/university-of-toronto/chemical-principles-1/ex
periment-2-diffusion-of-gases-lab-report/45299008