Final answer:
The claim is false as molecules move from high to low concentration until equilibrium is reached, through a process called diffusion.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that molecules move spontaneously from regions of low chemical potential to regions of high concentration is false. In reality, molecules move from an area of high concentration to an area of lower concentration until the concentration is uniform, a process known as diffusion. Over time, molecules achieve a dynamic equilibrium where they continue to move at equal rates in both directions across a membrane with no net movement.
During diffusion, molecules move in a random way because of thermal energy. This means there is a net flow of matter from places where the molecule concentration is higher to where it is lower. Each component in a mixture, such as a gas with multiple components, will move independently of the others, following the same principle.
An example of this process can be observed when a drop of food coloring is placed in water and diffuses until it is evenly distributed throughout. This is referred to as free diffusion and occurs without any barriers inhibiting the movement of the molecules.