Diffusion definition

Word Origin late Middle English (in the sense ‘pouring out, effusion’): from Latin diffusio(n-), from diffundere ‘pour out’. Definition of diffusion. Atoms and small molecules can move across a cell membrane by diffusion. The reflection or refraction of radiation such as light or sound by an irregular surface, tending to scatter it in many directions.

The material that diffuses could be a soli liquid or gas. For example, if you spray perfume at one end of a room eventually the gas particles will be all over the room. Diffusion is driven by a gradient in concentration. We use cookies to enhance your experience on our website, including to provide targeted advertising and track usage. The particles will mix until they are evenly distributed.

Passive diffusion is the movement of molecules across a membrane, such as a cell membrane. For diffusion to occur there must be a concentration gradient. The movement does not require energy.

The dissimilarity in the amounts of solutes , particles, or molecules between two regions will cause them to move between the two regions. Osmosis is the result of diffusion across a semipermeable membrane. If two solutions of different concentration are separated by a semipermeable membrane, then the solvent will tend to diffuse across the membrane from the less concentrated to the more conc.

What does diffusion mean? Oxford Dictionaries as The spreading of something more widely. Anthropology, Sociology. Occurs when the diffusion innovation or concept spreads from a place or person of power or high susceptibility to another in a leveled pattern. Occurs when the innovative idea diffuses from its hearth outwar but the original idea is changed by the new adopters.

Net movement of water molecules through a semipermeable membrane from an area of higher water potential to an area of lower water potential. When cultural ideas spread from one group to another, this is an example of diffusion. Concentration can be described as how much of a substance there is in relation to the other substance molecules in the area it occupies.

In the process of diffusion of a single solute, a concentration of molecules on one side of a membrane will move through a membrane until there is. Simple diffusion is carried out by the actions of hydrogen bonds forming between water molecules and solutes. The market diffusion process, also called the diffusion of innovation, is closely related to the PLC and can be used both as a means of segmenting a market and for suggesting appropriate marketing activities. Promoting to the ‘average’ consumer will be ineffective unless the innovators and early adopters have experienced the product and are willing to recommend it.

They can be used to solve for the diffusion coefficient, D. The scattering of light by reflection from a rough surface, or by passage through a translucent medium. The intermingling of the molecules of a fluid due to random thermal agitation. Symbol) D (Also called) diffusivity. Molecules naturally disperse because they want an environment that is stable.

In the body fluids the molecules of water, gases, and the ions of substances in solution are in constant motion. With Reverso you can find the French translation, definition or synonym for diffusion and thousands of other words. There are three main types of diffusion , which include simple diffusion , channel diffusion and facilitated diffusion. A diffusion index measures the cumulative number of stocks that are advancing over time.

It is also used in economics and statistics to see how many components of a group are moving higher or lower.