Question

What does this statement mean:

"Diffusion in solids rather than of solids is more likely."

Answer 1

This statement means that the solids have tightly packed particle structure and their intermolecular spaces are very weak and the intermolecular bonding is very strong and hence the are closely and tightly packed together. The particles will vibrate at one constant position and will not show a great movement because of less space. This also means that all the substances containing it in solids will diffuse at a higher level rather than the usual level it will maintain at the first place to diffuse into any substance. Thus, also meaning that the diffusion in solids to solids is negligible, as, there are no fluids for transmitting and upto a level where no water is present. Solids cannot change their shape rather than liquids and gases which take shape of the given container or room or by external environment, this makes the Solids hard too diffuse making it difficult, so, the statement is saying the process is slow and is more likely to happen, henceforth it is correct, only solid to solid diffusion can happen but in a slow state