Fick’s First Law of Diffusion

Fick’s First Law of Diffusion is a scientific principle that describes the movement of particles from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration.

Fick’s First Law of Diffusion states that the rate of diffusion of a substance through a medium is directly proportional to the concentration gradient i.e., rate change of concentration with respect to position, of the substance in that medium.

Formula for Fick’s First Law

Mathematical formula for Fick’s first law of diffusion is:

J = -D dϕ/dx

Where,

  • J is a diffusion flux,
  • D is diffusivity,
  • Φ is concentration, and
  • x is position.

Fick’s Law of Diffusion

Fick’s Law of Diffusion is an important principle in physics and chemistry. This law describes the rate at which particles (such as molecules, atoms, or ions) diffuse through a medium. It was formulated by Adolf Fick, a German physiologist, in the 19th century. It helps us understand how molecules move and diffuse in space, and in which direction they migrate.

In simple words, Fick’s law states that molecules diffuse in space from a point of higher concentration to a point of lower concentration. In this article, we will learn about all related topics to Fick’s Law of Diffusion. This article includes both the first and second laws along with their derivations. Additionally, we will discuss some common applications of this law.

Table of Content

  • What is Diffusion?
  • What is Fick’s Law of Diffusion?
  • Fick’s Law of Diffusion Formula
  • Fick’s First Law of Diffusion
  • Fick’s Second Law of Diffusion
  • Application of Fick’s Law of Diffusion
  • Conclusion
  • Sample Problems on Fick’s Law of Diffusion

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What is Diffusion?

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What is Fick’s Law of Diffusion?

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Fick’s Law of Diffusion Formula

1. Fick’s First Law: The formula for Fick’s First Law describes the diffusion flux as proportional to the negative gradient of concentration:...

Fick’s First Law of Diffusion

Fick’s First Law of Diffusion is a scientific principle that describes the movement of particles from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration....

Fick’s Second Law of Diffusion

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Application of Fick’s Law of Diffusion

Some of the common applications of Fick’s Law of Diffusion are:...

Conclusion

In conclusion, Fick’s Law of Diffusion provides a fundamental understanding of the process by which substances move through a medium. By establishing a quantitative relationship between the rate of diffusion, the surface area, the concentration gradient, and the diffusion distance, this law has wide-ranging applications in various scientific and engineering fields....

Sample Problems on Fick’s Law of Diffusion

Problem 1: A membrane has a diffusion coefficient (D) of 1 × 10−5cm2/s. The concentration gradient (dx/dc) across the membrane is 2 × 10−3mol / cm4, and the cross-sectional area (A) is 2cm2 . Calculate the diffusion flux (J)....

Practice Problems

Problem 1: A gas with a diffusion coefficient (D) of 3×10 −6 m 2/s is diffusing through a barrier with a thickness (x) of 0.01m. The concentration gradient (dx/dc) across the barrier is 4mol/m 4 , and the area (A) is 0.03m 2. Calculate the diffusion flux (J)....

Fick’s Law of Diffusion – FAQs

What is Fick’s Law of Diffusion?...

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