Living Physics Portal: Diffusion

Abstract: This part of the unit provides a complete series of labs that explore the full range of motion of objects in viscous media, starting from a macroscopic ball moving at terminal velocity in syrup to the Brownian motion of microspheres in water to a capstone experiment that observes the motion of tubules within an onion skin cell, extracting information about the cell medium from the difference between random and directed motions.

Resource Types: Lab, Instructor supplement, Student reading

Author:

Edward Redish

University of Maryland, College Park

TOPICS

Physics Topics:

Thermo & Stat Mech > Kinetic and Diffusive Processes > Brownian Motion, Diffusion

Thermo & Stat Mech > Statistical Physics

Life Sciences Topics:

Cross-cutting Biological Concepts > Causal Mechanisms > Physical Mechanisms

Cross-cutting Biological Concepts > Matter/energy Transfer & Transforms > Cross-membrane Transport

Cross-cutting Biological Concepts > The Cell > Cellular Structure

Medical Applications

Molecular and Cellular Biology > Cellular Dynamics

Math Topics:

Algebra; Differential Calculus

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Diffusion and Random Walk unit > Diffusion - Laboratories

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License: CC: BY-NC-SA - Attribution, No Commercial uses and Share Alike. Derivative works must have the same license

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