Question

what is the difference between osmosis and diffusion?

Answer 1

Diffusion is the movement of particles (atoms, ions or molecules) from a region in which they are in higher concentration to regions of lower concentration. A good example of diffusion is food colouring. If you place a drop of red food colouring in a beaker of water eventually the entire beaker of water will have a red tint. The food colouring moved through the water until it was equally distributed throughout the beaker. Diffusion takes place along a concentration gradient. A concentration gradient exists until the diffused substance is evenly distributed.

Osmosis is a special example of diffusion. It is the diffusion of a substance through a semipermeable membrane from a more dilute solution to a more concentrated solution. This process is also passive since no external energy is needed.

A semipermeable membrane is a barrier that permits the passage of some substances but not others. Cell membranes are described as selectively permeable because not only do they allow the passage of water but also allow the passage of certain solutes (dissolved substances).

Answer 2

Hey !!

DIFFUSION  

In diffusion, no semipermeable membrane is used.

In this process,the solvent as well as the solute molecules move directly into each other.

It takes place from higher concentration to lower concentration.

It takes place in gases as well as solutions.

It cannot be stopped or reversed.

OSMOSIS

In osmosis, a semipermeable membrane is used.

In this process, there is only flow of solvent molecules and that too through the semi-permeable membrane.

It takes place from lower concentration to higher concentration.

It applies to solutions only.

It can be stopped or reversed by applying pressure on the solution with higher concentration.

HOPE IT HELPS YOU !!