difúze

Difüze is the term used in Turkish to denote diffusion, the process by which particles spread from regions of higher concentration to regions of lower concentration due to random thermal motion. Diffusion operates in gases, liquids and solids and underpins many natural and engineered processes, from the mixing of perfumes in air to the transport of nutrients in biological tissues.

In physics and chemistry, diffusion can be described quantitatively by Fick's laws. Fick's first law states that the diffusion flux J is proportional to the negative gradient of concentration, J = -D ∇C, where D is the diffusion coefficient. Fick's second law describes how concentration changes over time, ∂C/∂t = D ∇^2 C. The value of D depends on the medium, temperature, and the diffusant, and it determines the rate of spreading. In biological systems, diffusion may occur directly across membranes or be facilitated by transport proteins.

Applications of diffusion span many fields. In medicine and pharmacology, diffusion governs drug release from a delivery vehicle and penetration across membranes. In environmental science, it explains the spread of pollutants. In materials science, diffusion drives alloying, heat treatment, and semiconductor dopant distribution. In everyday life, odors and aromas reach us by diffusion.

Diffusion contrasts with active transport and convection, which involve energy input or bulk movement of the medium. Understanding diffusion is essential in designing experiments, interpreting transport phenomena, and predicting how substances mix and distribute over time.