New
New
Year 7

Diffusion through a permeable material: practical

I can explain observations of diffusion through jelly cubes (a permeable material).

New
New
Year 7

Diffusion through a permeable material: practical

I can explain observations of diffusion through jelly cubes (a permeable material).

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Particles of a liquid can move through a material by diffusion if the material is permeable.
  2. Observe a liquid diffusing into a jelly cube.
  3. Predict and observe effect of temperature on the diffusion of a liquid into a jelly cube.
  4. Predict and observe effect of cube size on the diffusion of a liquid into a jelly cube.
  5. Use ideas about particles and diffusion to explain these observations.

Common misconception

Particles cannot diffuse through a seemingly solid material.

This practical lesson enables students to observe diffusion of acid through permeable cubes of coloured jelly.

Keywords

  • Diffusion - Diffusion is the net movement of particles of a substance down a concentration gradient.

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

  • Permeable - A material is permeable if particles of a liquid are able to move through it.

  • Variable - In a science experiment, a variable is a factor that can be changed, kept the same, or measured.

  • Prediction - A scientific prediction is a testable statement about a possible outcome of an experiment

Video demonstrations are provided, but the three experiments could also be done as teacher demonstrations with use of a visualiser. Prepare agar cubes containing phenolphthalein indicator and 0.5 M sodium carbonate to make it go pink. During the experiments, place cubes in 0.1 M hydrochloric acid.
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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6 Questions

Q1.
Who is correct?
Aisha: "Only liquids are made up of particles."
Izzy: "Only gasses are made up of particles."
Lucas: "Only liquids and gasses are made up of particles."
Correct answer: Sam: "Solids, liquids and gasses are made up of particles."
Q2.
The particles that make up a liquid are ...
fixed in position.
constantly moving from side to side.
Correct answer: constantly moving in random directions.
Q3.
Match each scientific term to its correct definition.
Correct Answer:concentration gradient,different concentrations of particles in one area and another

different concentrations of particles in one area and another

Correct Answer:net movement,the overall movement of particles from one area to another

the overall movement of particles from one area to another

Correct Answer:diffusion,the net movement of particles down a concentration gradient

the net movement of particles down a concentration gradient

Q4.
Which statement is true?
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: There is a higher concentration in area A than area B.
There is a higher concentration in area B than area A.
The concentration is the same in area A and area B.
Q5.
In which direction will there be net movement of particles?
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: net movement from area A to area B
net movement from area B to area A
net movement in both directions
no net movement
Q6.
In which direction will particles move along the concentration gradient?
An image in a quiz
only from area A to area B
only from area B to area A
Correct answer: in both directions
in neither direction

6 Questions

Q1.
Particles of liquid can move through a material if it is .
Correct Answer: permeable
Q2.
Particles of liquid can move into a cube of jelly by the process of ...
An image in a quiz
concentration.
decolourisation.
Correct answer: diffusion.
prediction.
variation.
Q3.
In which beaker have particles of acid diffused all the way to the centre of the jelly cube?
beaker A
beaker B
beaker C
Correct answer: beaker D
Q4.
Jelly cubes are placed in acid at three different temperatures, and the time taken for the acid to decolourise each cube is recorded. Match the types of variables to the factors.
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer:independent variable,temperature of the acid

temperature of the acid

Correct Answer:dependent variable,time taken to decolourise each cube

time taken to decolourise each cube

Correct Answer:control variable,the size of the cubes

the size of the cubes

Q5.
Which scientific prediction is most likely to be correct?
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: At lower temperatures, the time taken to decolourise the cube will be longer.
At lower temperatures, the time taken to decolourise the cube will be shorter.
Temperature will have no effect on the time taken to decolourise the cubes.
Q6.
Jelly cubes of three different widths are placed in acid. Which cube will be completely decolourised by the acid in the shortest time?
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: The cube of width 1.0 cm
The cube of width 1.5 cm
The cube of width 2.0 cm
The taken will be the same for each of the cubes.