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Brownian Motion in Liquids

Last updated

Feb 22, 2023
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Chemical Concept Demonstrated

Brownian motion

Demonstration

The flask contains a saturated solution of excess sulfur in CS₂. The crystallizing dish is half-filled with the solution, covered with a glass plate, and placed on the overhead projector.

CS2 and excess sulfur are combined in an Erlenmeyer flask.

Observations

Rhombic sulfur crystals form in the solution and can be seen moving randomly in the dish. Eventually, the proliferation of crystals will interfere with this movement.

Explanation

Molecules in fluids are in a constant state of random motion. A particle suspended in a fluid is constantly and randomly bombarded from all sides by molecules of the fluid, and this is noticeable, provided the particle is small and light enough (we do not, for example, notice the fluid of the atmosphere pushing around billiard balls). The random motion of the crystals, not the molecules, is referred to as Brownian motion.

Chemical Concept Demonstrated

Demonstration

Observations

Explanation

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