A concentration difference of a certain solute of 1.0 × 10^-2 kg/m³ is maintained between the ends of a tube with a length of 3.5 m and a cross-sectional area of 0.25 m². When 0.0040 g of the solute is introduced to the tube, it takes 350 minutes for this solute to diffuse through the solvent to the opposite end of the tube. What is the diffusion constant for the solute?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

We can use the formula for diffusion rate:
Diffusion Rate = (diffusion constant) x (cross-sectional area) x (concentration difference) / (length)

We can rearrange this formula to solve for the diffusion constant:
Diffusion Constant = (diffusion rate) x (length) / (cross-sectional area) x (concentration difference)

Plugging in the given values:
Diffusion Rate = 0.0040 g / 350 min = 1.14 x 10^-5 g/min
Length = 3.5 m
Cross-sectional area = 0.25 m^2
Concentration difference = 1.0 x 10^-2 kg/m^3

Diffusion Constant = (1.14 x 10^-5 g/min) x (3.5 m) / (0.25 m^2) x (1.0 x 10^-2 kg/m^3)
Diffusion Constant = 2.7 x 10^-7 m^2/s

Therefore, the answer is A: 2.7 x 10^-7 m^2/s

A Concentration Difference of a Certain Solute of 1