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Year 7

Diffusion: moving particles

I can explain that diffusion is the movement of particles of a substance from an area of higher to lower concentration.

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New
New
Year 7

Diffusion: moving particles

I can explain that diffusion is the movement of particles of a substance from an area of higher to lower concentration.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. All substances, including the cell cytoplasm and substances within it, are made up of particles.
  2. These particles move in random directions and collide all the time.
  3. Concentration is the number of particles in a volume of liquid or gas.
  4. The net movement of particles is down a concentration gradient.
  5. Diffusion is the passive movement of particles of a substance from an area of higher to lower concentration.

Common misconception

Particles want or intend to spread out; particles stop moving after equilibrium has been reached.

Animations show particles in continuous random motion.

Keywords

  • Passive process - A passive process doesn’t require any additional energy.

  • Concentration - Concentration is the number of particles in a volume of liquid or gas.

  • Concentration gradient - A concentration gradient is a difference in the concentration of particles from one area to another.

  • Net movement - Net movement is the overall movement of particles from one area to another.

  • Diffusion - Diffusion is the net movement of a substance from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration.

Demonstrations of diffusion in gases (e.g. deodorant or air freshener) and liquids (e.g. tea or dye in water) can help to increase engagment.
Teacher tip

Content guidance

  • Risk assessment required - equipment

Supervision

Adult supervision required

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which of the following are not made of cells?
Fish
Snail
Lion
Correct answer: Rocks
Grass
Q2.
Which one statement about the human body is true?
The body contains cells.
The body is a cell.
Correct answer: The body is made up of cells.
There are no cells in the body.
Q3.
Starting with the largest, put these in size order.
1 - Heart
2 - Cell
3 - Nucleus
4 - Oxygen
Q4.
Match the particles with their correct arrangement.
Correct Answer:Solid particles are,close and fixed in position.

close and fixed in position.

Correct Answer:Liquid particles are,close, randomly arranged and can move around each other.

close, randomly arranged and can move around each other.

Correct Answer:Gas particles are,far apart, randomly arranged and free to move.

far apart, randomly arranged and free to move.

Q5.
What does the word particle refer to?
Correct answer: atoms and molecules
atoms and cell organelles
cells and cell organelles
molecules and cells
atoms and cells
Q6.
What is the particle model?
Correct answer: Describes the arrangement of particles in solids, liquid and gases.
Describes how particles can change.
Describes the arrangement of cell organelles within cells.
Describes how to make new particles.

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What can particles in a liquid and gas do that enables them to diffuse?
Correct Answer: move, change position, randomly move, move randomly
Q2.
Which of the following describe the movement of particles in liquids and gases?
Correct answer: Constantly moving
Move in one direction
Correct answer: Move randomly
Correct answer: Collide with each other
Stop moving when they are evenly spread out
Q3.
Which best describes diffusion?
Movement of particles from an area of lower to higher concentration.
Correct answer: Movement of particles from an area of higher to lower concentration.
Movement of particles from one concentration to another.
Q4.
Why is diffusion a passive process?
Requires particles to spread out.
Correct answer: Requires no additional energy.
Requires additional energy.
Requires particles to be in the gas state.
Requires particles to be in the liquid state
Q5.
Which of the following are examples of particles that may be found in the cell cytoplasm?
Mitochondria
Nucleus
Correct answer: Oxygen
Correct answer: Glucose
Chloroplasts
Q6.
Match the words to their definitions.
Correct Answer:Concentration,The number of particles in a volume of liquid or gas.

The number of particles in a volume of liquid or gas.

Correct Answer:Concentration gradient,A difference in concentration.

A difference in concentration.

Correct Answer:Net movement,The overall movement of particles from one area to another.

The overall movement of particles from one area to another.