Food Coloring Diffusion Rate Lab
Introduction: In this lab you will observe the diffusion of a substance in water. Diffusion is when molecules
spread out without the use of external energy.
Question: What do you think will happen to the speed of food coloring in different temperatures of water?
Hypothesis: If I _____________________________________________________________________________,
then__________________________________________________________________________________________
Materials:
3 beakers
Timer
Thermometer
Food coloring
Hot, cold, & room temp water
Procedure: Check each step as you complete it.
1. Fill beaker 1 with 50 mL of room temperature water.
2. Take the temperature of the water in the beaker and record it in the data table.
3. Get out your timer.
4. Add 1 drop of food coloring. Start the timer when the color hits the water.
5. Stop the timer when the food coloring is equally diffused throughout the water and record this in the
data table.
6. Dump the water in the sink and rinse your beaker.
7. Fill beaker 2 with 50 mL of hot water. CAUTION: HOT
8. Take the temperature of the water in the beaker and record it in the data table.
9. Get out your timer.
10. Add 1 drop of food coloring. Start the timer when the color hits the water.
11. Stop the timer when the food coloring is equally diffused throughout the water and record this in the
data table.
12. Dump the water in the sink and rinse your beaker.
13. Fill beaker 3 with 50 mL of cold water.
14. Take the temperature of the water in the beaker and record it in the data table.
15. Get out your timer.
16. Add 1 drop of food coloring. Start the timer when the color hits the water.
17. Stop the timer when the food coloring is equally diffused throughout the water and record this in the
data table.
18. Dump the water in the sink and rinse your beaker.
Data:
Beaker #
Water Temp (oC)
Time for diffusion (min:sec)
Lab Questions:
1. Which temperature of water causes food color to diffuse the fastest?
2. Using your knowledge of molecules, explain your answer to #1.
Time converted into seconds