Difference between revisions of "Surface Area to Volume Ratio"
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The '''surface area to volume ratio''' explains why | The '''surface area to volume ratio''' explains why | ||
*A [[mouse]] will freeze quicker in cold [[temperature]]s than a [[bear]] because the larger the [[Surface Area|surface area]] the quicker an [[object]] can [[emit]] [[Thermal Energy Store|thermal energy]] and the smaller the [[Volume (Space)|volume]] the less [[Thermal Energy Store|thermal energy]] in the [[object]]. | *A [[mouse]] will freeze quicker in cold [[temperature]]s than a [[bear]] because the larger the [[Surface Area|surface area]] the quicker an [[object]] can [[emit]] [[Thermal Energy Store|thermal energy]] and the smaller the [[Volume (Space)|volume]] the less [[Thermal Energy Store|thermal energy]] in the [[object]]. | ||
− | A [[mouse]] has a large [[Surface Area|surface area]] compared to its [[Volume (Space)|volume]] so it loses [[Thermal Energy Store|thermal energy]] quickly. | + | : A [[mouse]] has a large [[Surface Area|surface area]] compared to its [[Volume (Space)|volume]] so it loses [[Thermal Energy Store|thermal energy]] quickly. |
*[[Multicellular]] [[organism]]s need specialised [[tissue]]s with large [[Surface Area|surface areas]] to [[absorb (biology)|absorb]] [[nutrient]]s and [[Oxygen]] because the larger the [[Surface Area|surface area]] the quicker an [[object]] can [[absorb (Biology)|absorb]] [[chemical]]s and the larger the [[Volume (Space)|volume]] the more [[chemical]]s the [[object]] needs. | *[[Multicellular]] [[organism]]s need specialised [[tissue]]s with large [[Surface Area|surface areas]] to [[absorb (biology)|absorb]] [[nutrient]]s and [[Oxygen]] because the larger the [[Surface Area|surface area]] the quicker an [[object]] can [[absorb (Biology)|absorb]] [[chemical]]s and the larger the [[Volume (Space)|volume]] the more [[chemical]]s the [[object]] needs. | ||
− | A [[multicellular]] [[organism]] has a large [[Volume (Space)|volume]] compared to its [[Surface Area|surface area]] so it needs parts of its body to have a large [[Surface Area|surface area]] to [[Absorb (Biology)|absorb]] enough [[nutrient]]s and [[Oxygen]]. | + | : A [[multicellular]] [[organism]] has a large [[Volume (Space)|volume]] compared to its [[Surface Area|surface area]] so it needs parts of its body to have a large [[Surface Area|surface area]] to [[Absorb (Biology)|absorb]] enough [[nutrient]]s and [[Oxygen]]. |
+ | |||
+ | *[[Catalyst]]s work when their [[atom]]s interact with the [[chemical]]s to increase the rate of a [[Chemical Reaction|reaction]] because when a [[catalyst]] is made into [[nanoparticle]]s the number of [[atom]]s on the [[surface]] of the [[object]] is greater compared to the [[Volume (Space)|volume]] of [[catalyst]] so more of the [[catalyst]]s [[atom]]s can interact with the [[reactant]]s. |
Revision as of 15:02, 2 January 2019
Key Stage 4
Meaning
The surface area to volume ratio is the relationship between the volume of an object and the surface area of that object which can be used to explain how the properties of a material or object can change due to the size of the object.
About Surface Area to Volume Ratio
As the size of an object decreases the surface area becomes larger compared to the volume of the object. | ||
Area of 1 face x 6 : Volume 3x3 x 6 : 3x3x3 54cm2 : 27cm3 2cm2 : 1cm3 |
Area of 1 face x 6 : Volume 2x2 x 6 : 2x2x2 24cm2 : 8cm3 3cm2 : 1cm3 |
Area of 1 face x 6 : Volume 1x1 x 6 : 1x1x1 6cm2 : 1cm3 |
The surface area to volume ratio explains why
- A mouse will freeze quicker in cold temperatures than a bear because the larger the surface area the quicker an object can emit thermal energy and the smaller the volume the less thermal energy in the object.
- A mouse has a large surface area compared to its volume so it loses thermal energy quickly.
- Multicellular organisms need specialised tissues with large surface areas to absorb nutrients and Oxygen because the larger the surface area the quicker an object can absorb chemicals and the larger the volume the more chemicals the object needs.
- A multicellular organism has a large volume compared to its surface area so it needs parts of its body to have a large surface area to absorb enough nutrients and Oxygen.
- Catalysts work when their atoms interact with the chemicals to increase the rate of a reaction because when a catalyst is made into nanoparticles the number of atoms on the surface of the object is greater compared to the volume of catalyst so more of the catalysts atoms can interact with the reactants.