Diffusion Time Equation:
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Diffusion time (t) is the time required for particles to spread over a certain distance through random motion. It depends on the square of the distance and inversely on the diffusion coefficient.
The calculator uses the diffusion time equation:
Where:
Explanation: The equation shows that diffusion time increases with the square of the distance and decreases with higher diffusion coefficients.
Details: Calculating diffusion time is crucial in fields like chemistry, biology, and materials science for understanding how quickly substances spread through different media.
Tips: Enter distance in meters and diffusion coefficient in m²/s. Both values must be positive numbers.
Q1: What is a typical diffusion coefficient value?
A: It varies widely - from ~10⁻⁹ m²/s for small molecules in water to ~10⁻¹⁵ m²/s in solid materials.
Q2: Why does distance appear squared in the equation?
A: This reflects the random walk nature of diffusion - the area covered grows with the square of the distance.
Q3: Does temperature affect diffusion time?
A: Yes, temperature affects the diffusion coefficient (D) - generally higher temperature increases D and decreases diffusion time.
Q4: Can this be used for 3D diffusion?
A: This is the basic 1D form. For 3D diffusion, the equation would include additional dimensional factors.
Q5: What are limitations of this calculation?
A: It assumes ideal conditions - uniform medium, no external forces, and non-interacting particles.