The value of mass diffusivity for liquid is lower than in gas where this is due to the difference of the molecular arrangement and interaction in both phases. Using any appropriate diagram, explain this statement. The Value of Mass Diffusivity for Liquids vs. Gases: Exploring Molecular Interactions

The Value of Mass Diffusivity for Liquids vs. Gases: Exploring Molecular Interactions

The phenomenon of mass diffusivity, which is the measure of the rate at which molecules move from one region to another, is significantly lower in liquids compared to gases. This can be explained by examining the difference in the way molecules are arranged and interact in each phase. In gases, molecules are free to move around, resulting in a high degree of randomness and chaos. As a result, the kinetic energy of the molecules is high, allowing them to move quickly and disperse across space, leading to a high mass diffusivity. In contrast, in liquids, molecules are arranged in a much more orderly fashion. They are held together in a close-knit structure, due to the strong attractive forces between them, such as van der Waals forces and hydrogen bonding. This close interaction between molecules results in a decrease in the kinetic energy, slowing down the diffusion process and resulting in a lower mass diffusivity (Ozkul, 2016; Osman and O’Sullivan, 2022). To illustrate this concept, a diagram of a gas and a liquid can be used. In the diagram of the gas, the molecules are depicted. Cont…