Question

When a crystal of potassium permanganate is placed at the bottom of water in a beaker, the water in the whole beaker turns purple on its own, even without stirring. This is an example of :

Options

• distribution

• intrusion

• diffusion

• effusion

Answer 1

Diffusion

Both water and potassium permanganate are made up of tiny particles. The particles of potassium permanganate are coloured while those of water are colourless. When the crystals of potassium permanganate are kept in water, the purple-coloured crystals of potassium permanganate break further into smaller particles that occupy the space between the molecules of water imparting a purple colour to the water.