Term: diffusion
https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.D01716

Definition:
The spreading or scattering of a gaseous or liquid material. eddy diffusion in the atmosphere is the process of transport of gases due to turbulent mixing in the presence of a composition gradient. Molecular diffusion is the net transport of molecules which results from their molecular motions alone in the absence of turbulent mixing; it occurs when the concentration gradient of a particular gas in a mixture differs from its equilibrium value. eddy diffusion is the most important mixing process in the lower atmosphere, while molecular diffusion becomes significant at the lower pressures of the upper atmosphere.

Related Terms:
1) scattering (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.S05487).
2) eddy (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.E01888).
3) gradient (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.G02669).
4) concentration gradient (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.C01227).

Source: PAC, 1990, 62, 2167. 'Glossary of atmospheric chemistry terms (Recommendations 1990)' on page 2185 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199062112167)

Citation: 'diffusion' in IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 5th ed. International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry; 2025. Online version 5.0.0, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.D01716

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