diffusjonstensoravbildning

Diffusion tendency, often referred to as diffusion potential, is a concept primarily used in electrochemistry to describe the potential difference that arises across a membrane or interface due to the unequal distribution of ions. This phenomenon is driven by the random thermal motion of ions, a process known as diffusion. When ions are more concentrated on one side of a permeable barrier compared to the other, they will naturally move from the area of high concentration to the area of low concentration, aiming to achieve equilibrium.

This movement of charged particles creates an electric potential difference. If the ions are positively charged, their movement from a region of high concentration to low concentration will make the low-concentration side more positive and the high-concentration side more negative. Conversely, if the ions are negatively charged, their movement will result in the low-concentration side becoming more negative and the high-concentration side becoming more positive. The magnitude of the diffusion tendency depends on the concentration gradient, the charge of the diffusing ions, and the permeability of the barrier to those ions. This concept is fundamental to understanding the operation of electrochemical cells, nerve impulse transmission, and various biological processes involving ion transport across cell membranes.