Soil acidity (and acidity of anything else, for that matter) is measured on a scale of 1 to 14. Everything below 7 is considered to be acidic. Everything above is considered to be alkaline. Most garden plants thrive at a pH between 6 and 7.5. The reason a pH between 6 and 7.5 is optimal for garden plants is that between 6 and 7.5, phosphorus in the soil is soluble - meaning that it dissolves in water and is taken up by plant roots.
Some of the factors that affect the rate at which particles diffuse include: the particle's molecular weight, temperature, concentration difference, diffusion distance, permeability and surface area. Pressure is also known to affect the rate of diffusion since it increases the speed of molecules.
10-7. The Effect of Temperature on the Rate of Diffusion. Description: Food color spreads out more quickly through a bowl of warm water then it does through a bowl of cold water. Concept: The rate of diffusion of water and food color molecules is increased when temperature is increased. Temperature is a measure of molecular motion.