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MSH Practical Laboratory Series
Lab 1: Diffusion and States of Matter
Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry 0620
Printable Student Worksheet
Paper 5 / Paper 6 Skills
Topic: 1.1 Solids, Liquids and Gases / 1.2 Diffusion | Student printable version
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Aim

To complete a practical investigation linked to 1.1 Solids, Liquids and Gases / 1.2 Diffusion and develop IGCSE practical skills in observation, measurement, recording, analysis and evaluation.

Learning Objectives

Apparatus and Chemicals

Safety:

Risk Assessment Summary

Possible hazardSafety precautionEmergency response
Chemicals may irritate skin or eyes.Wear eye protection; avoid direct contact; use small quantities.Rinse affected area with plenty of water and inform the teacher.
Glassware, hot apparatus or flames may cause injury.Handle apparatus carefully; use test-tube holders; keep bags away from benches.Report breakages, burns or spills immediately.

Paper 5 / Paper 6 Practical Skills Checklist

I selected and used suitable apparatus safely.
I recorded observations and measurements clearly.
I used correct units and table headings.
I identified variables where appropriate.
I processed data or drew conclusions from evidence.
I evaluated the method and suggested improvements.

Method

  1. Half-fill a beaker with water and place it on a white tile.
  2. Carefully add one small crystal of potassium manganate(VII) or one drop of food dye.
  3. Do not stir the water. Start the stopwatch.
  4. Observe the colour spread at regular intervals.
  5. Record observations at 0, 1, 3, 5 and 10 minutes.
  6. Draw a particle diagram to explain what happened.

Results

Time / minObservation
0
1
3
5
10

Additional observations:

Analysis Questions

  1. What evidence shows that diffusion occurred?
  2. Why was the water not stirred?
  3. Explain the observation using particle movement.
  4. Would diffusion be faster or slower in warm water? Explain.

Claim-Evidence-Reasoning (CER)

Claim: What happened?Evidence: What data/observations support this?Reasoning: What chemistry explains it?

Conclusion

State whether diffusion occurred and support your answer with observations.

Evaluation

Identify one source of error and one improvement to the method.

Source of errorImprovement

Extension / Challenge

Predict how temperature would affect the rate of diffusion and explain why.

Teacher Assessment (30 Marks Total)

CriterionMarks
Planning & Organisation5
Data Collection & Observations5
Processing & Analysis10
Evaluation & Improvements5
Conclusion5
Total30

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