Rate of Diffusion Lab Results


This lab was meant to show students that the rate of diffusion can be increased by temperature or concentration of the solute.  3 potato cubes measuring 1 cm on a side were placed in solutions of food coloring.  All solutions had 25 mls water.  One solution was 2 mls food coloring at room temperature (control).  The second solution was 2 mls food coloring but heated (temperature).  The third solution was 6 mls food coloring at room temperature (concentration).  One cube was checked every ten minutes, and students measured how far the food coloring had diffused into the potato cube.  It was shown that the food coloring diffused faster when temperature or concentration was higher.