Diffusion is the process by which molecules of a substance move from an area of high concentration to one of low concentration until chemical equilibrium is reached.
Diffusion occurs in all substances and is a form of transport of matter that occurs naturally.
Osmosis, for its part, is a specific type of diffusion that involves the movement of a solvent through a semipermeable membrane (that is, a membrane that allows the passage of some substances but not others) from a solution of lower concentration to one of greater concentration, until equilibrium is reached.
In short, diffusion is the movement of any substance from an area of high concentration to one of low concentration, while osmosis is a specific type of diffusion that involves the movement of solvent through a semipermeable membrane.
Diffusion And Osmosis Differences With Examples:
Diffusion
Diffusion is the process of dispersion or dispersal of a substance through a medium. It can occur in different ways, such as the movement of particles through a gas or the transport of heat through a solid.
Diffusion can also refer to the process by which a substance disperses across a membrane, such as when oxygen passes through the wall of capillaries in the lungs.
Diffusion is a form of transport that occurs due to random collisions of particles and thermal energy.
It is a natural phenomenon that occurs in many systems and is important in various areas of science and technology, such as chemical engineering, physics, and biology.
Osmosis
Osmosis is a physical process that occurs when a liquid moves through a semipermeable membrane toward a solution with a higher concentration of solutes.
Osmosis occurs due to the difference in concentration of solutes on both sides of the membrane.
Osmosis is important in the physiology of living beings, as it allows the transport of nutrients and waste through cells and tissues.
It is also important in engineering and industry, as it is used in water filtration systems and food production.
In the food industry, reverse osmosis can be used to purify water and remove impurities and contaminants.
In engineering, osmosis can be used to generate electrical energy by using a semipermeable membrane and a difference in solute concentration.
Difference Between Diffusion And Osmosis In Tabular Form
| Diffusion | Osmosis |
|---|---|
| It involves the movement of any type of molecule through a semipermeable membrane | Involves the movement of water molecules through a semipermeable membrane |
| It occurs due to constant collisions between molecules | It occurs due to the difference in concentration of water molecules on both sides of the membrane |
| Molecules move from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration | Water molecules move across the membrane to balance the concentrations on both sides |
