What drives the diffusion process in gases?

The diffusion process in gases is primarily driven by collisions between gas particles. When gas particles are in a confined space, they are in constant motion and frequently collide with one another. These collisions facilitate the mixing of different gases and enable molecules to move from areas of higher concentration to areas of lower concentration, resulting in diffusion.

The kinetic theory of gases explains that the faster the particles move—often due to increased temperature—the more frequent and energetic their collisions will be. This increased activity among gas particles promotes an effective and rapid redistribution of molecules, enhancing the diffusion process. Thus, the fundamental mechanism behind diffusion in gases is the interactions and collisions that occur between particles, leading to a tendency to spread out evenly throughout the available space.