Education Technology

Diffusion Data Collection Lab

Subject Area
Science: Biology: Cells
Level
9-12
Activity Time
45 Minutes
TI Calculator
TI-Nspire™ CX series
TI-Nspire™ CX CAS/CX II CAS
TI-Nspire Version
3.6
Accessories
Sensor - Conductivity
Other Materials
  • distilled water
  • 0.1 M, 0.2 M, and 0.3 M salt solutions
  • 400 mL or 500 mL beaker
  • 25 mL or 50 mL graduated cylinder
  • funnel
  • four pieces of dialysis tubing approximately 10 cm long
  • dental floss or string
Resource Types
Lessons
Data Collection
Format
TNS

Diffusion Data Collection Lab

Activity Overview

In this lesson, students will use varying molarities of a salt solution to observe diffusion through a membrane.

Objectives

  • Students will explore the movement of molecules through a membrane via diffusion.
  • Students will explore the effects of concentration gradient on diffusion rate.

Vocabulary

  • diffusion
  • concentration gradient
  • molarity
  • conductivity
  • permeability

About the Lesson

This activity involves students conducting 4 separate trials using 4 different molarities of a salt solution.

As a result, students will:
  • Use a conductivity probe to understand diffusion rates.
  • Develop an understanding of the effect of the concentration of a solution on the rate of diffusion across a selectively permeable membrane.


You may want to have students create a Lab Report using TI-Nspire following this lab activity. A sample lab report is provided in the downloads.

Subject Area
Science: Biology: Cells
Level
9-12
Activity Time
45 Minutes
TI Calculator
TI-Nspire™ CX series
TI-Nspire™ CX CAS/CX II CAS
TI-Nspire Version
3.6
Accessories
Sensor - Conductivity
Other Materials
  • distilled water
  • 0.1 M, 0.2 M, and 0.3 M salt solutions
  • 400 mL or 500 mL beaker
  • 25 mL or 50 mL graduated cylinder
  • funnel
  • four pieces of dialysis tubing approximately 10 cm long
  • dental floss or string
Resource Types
Lessons
Data Collection
Format
TNS
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