Candy Color Spirals: A Lesson in Diffusion
Key definitions:
Diffusion: the tendency of particles to move from high concentration to low concentration.
Concentration: the amount of particles in a given space
Particle: a small piece of matter, similar to a molecule or atom
Equilibrium: a balanced or equal amount of particles on opposing sides
Supplies:
You can use M&Ms, Skittles, or another colored candy for this activity. Here is a link to the candy used in the video: Skittles 7.2oz Resealable Bag
A small round dish or plate, can be reusable or paper.
About ⅓ cup of water (depending on the size of the plate). A dixie cup can also be used to measure about half way.
Related STEM Careers:
Check out our blog post about Microbiologists, and how they study the world of itty-bitty particles!
Related STEM History:
Read our overview of the Atomic Model, and how scientists in the past learned about the basic unit of matter.