Question

It can be shown that Fick's law of diffusion can be adapted to find that the time for the first solute molecule to travel a distance List = L2/(2D). Suppose the diffusion constant for molecules of some unpleasant odor in air is 1.8 x 10-5 m2/s. Roughly how far will the odor travel in 60 s?

Answer 1

L = 0.0464 m

Step-by-step explanation:

Given;

The relation between the time 't' and the distance 'L' as:

`t=(L^2)/(2D)`

and,

Diffusion constant, D = 1.8 x 10⁻⁵ m²/s

time, t = 60 s

on substituting the values in the above relation, we get

`60=(L^2)/(2*1.8*10^(-5))`

or

`L=\sqrt{2*1.8*10^(-5)*60}`

or

L = 0.0464 m