Why does diffusion occur more rapidly at higher temperatures?

Diffusion occurs more rapidly at higher temperatures because particles move faster and collide more frequently due to increased kinetic energy.

In more detail, diffusion is the process by which particles spread out from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration. This movement is driven by the kinetic energy of the particles. Kinetic energy is the energy of motion, and the amount of kinetic energy a particle has depends on its temperature. At higher temperatures, particles have more kinetic energy, which means they move faster.

When particles move faster, they collide with each other more frequently. Each collision provides an opportunity for a particle to move from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration. Therefore, the rate of diffusion increases with temperature because the increased kinetic energy leads to more frequent collisions and faster movement of particles.

Furthermore, the increased speed of particles at higher temperatures also means that they cover more distance in a given amount of time. This allows them to spread out more quickly, further increasing the rate of diffusion.

In summary, the rate of diffusion is directly related to the temperature because higher temperatures increase the kinetic energy of particles. This increased kinetic energy leads to faster movement, more frequent collisions, and a greater distance covered in a given time, all of which contribute to a faster rate of diffusion.