Diffusion in Regard to Molecule Size: Will the Rate Fluctuate According to the size of NaCl, Glucose, and Starch?

Abstract

In our experiment the problem addressed was the differing rates of diffusion through a membrane.  Our hypothesis stated that smaller molecules such as NaCl diffused faster than larger molecules like starch.  The experiment we set up involved three different samples: NaCl, glucose, and starch.  We measured the rate of diffusion with a conductivity probe, glucose strips, and a spectrometer.  We found that the NaCl diffused at a higher rate than starch; however, glucose did not show a clear change.  Our hypothesis was partially supported.