A species D is diffusing through a confined volume (see Figure) of a reacting ga

Question

A species D is diffusing through a confined volume (see Figure) of a reacting gas phase mixture. In the mixture, A reacts irreversibly to form B and C. Relative to D, the sizes and interactions with A, B, and C are equivalent. You observe that the flux of D through the mixture increases as the reaction proceeds if the cylinder is insulated (adiabatic, no heat transfer) but decreases if the cylinder is allowed to exchange heat with the surroundings. Explain this observation.

Reacting gas mixture A B+C PD constant, low value P constant, high value A, B, and C can not penetrate boundaries. DA DDB, DDC all equivalent

Explanation / Answer

Rate of diffusion is directly proportional to Temperature but inversely proportional to distance. In the first case as there is no interaction with atmosphere so temperature increases which in turn increases the the rate of diffusion along its length, but in the second case there will be no considerable increment in temperature along the legth due to Heat Loss to atmosphere, so diffusion rate will decrease as diffusion is inversely proportional to distance.

I hope this explaination suffices.

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