Science, Tech, Math › Science Examples of Diffusion 10 Diffusion Examples Share Flipboard Email Print Science Photo Library Ltd/Getty Images Science Chemistry Basics Chemical Laws Molecules Periodic Table Projects & Experiments Scientific Method Biochemistry Physical Chemistry Medical Chemistry Chemistry In Everyday Life Famous Chemists Activities for Kids Abbreviations & Acronyms Biology Physics Geology Astronomy Weather & Climate By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Chemistry Expert Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels. our editorial process Facebook Facebook Twitter Twitter Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Updated January 05, 2019 Diffusion is the movement of atoms, ions, or molecules from an area of higher concentration to one of lower concentration. The transport of matter continues until equilibrium is reached and there is a uniform concentration through the material. Examples of Diffusion Perfume is sprayed in one part of a room, yet soon it diffuses so that you can smell it everywhere.A drop of food coloring diffuses throughout the water in a glass so that, eventually, the entire glass will be colored.When steeping a cup of tea, molecules from the tea cross from the tea bag and diffuse throughout the cup of water.When shaking salt into water, the salt dissolves and the ions move until they are evenly distributed.After lighting a cigarette, the smoke spreads to all parts of a room.After placing a drop of food coloring onto a square of gelatin, the color will spread to a lighter color throughout the block.Carbon dioxide bubbles diffuse from an open soda, leaving it flat.If you place a wilted celery stick in water, water will diffuse into the plant, making it firm again.Water diffuses into cooking noodles, making them bigger and softer.A helium balloon deflates a little bit every day as helium diffuses through the balloon into the air.If you place a sugar cube in water, the sugar will dissolve and evenly sweeten the water without having to stir it. Cite this Article Format mla apa chicago Your Citation Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Examples of Diffusion." ThoughtCo, Oct. 29, 2020, thoughtco.com/diffusion-definition-and-examples-609189. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. (2020, October 29). Examples of Diffusion. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/diffusion-definition-and-examples-609189 Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Examples of Diffusion." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/diffusion-definition-and-examples-609189 (accessed March 7, 2021). copy citation