Nanoparticles

Question 1

What size are Nanoparticles? Explain your answer.

4 marks

Answer 1

Nanoparticles are between 1 - 100 nanometres (nm) in size and are made up of a few hundred atoms.

A nm has a very large surface area compared to its volume. - They have a Large Surface to Volume Ratios which gives them interesting properties.

Question 2

What are the properties of Nanoparticulate Substances different from?

(2 marks)

Answer 2

The properties of Nano-particulate Substances are different from those of the same Atoms in bulk - E.g. as powders, lumps or sheets.

Question 3

What is 1 Nanometre in Standard Form?

2 marks

Answer 3

1 × 10-9m or 0.000000001 m.

Question 4

What is Buckminsterfullerene (C60)?

1 mark

Answer 4

Buckminsterfullerene is a Nanoparticle.

Question 5

Explain Surface area to volume ratio in Structures.

3 marks

Answer 5

Smaller structures have a Large Surface Area to Volume Ratio than larger ones. You can demonstrate this mathematically.

Question 6

When the length of a side of a cube is decreased by a factor of 10 (10 cm to 1cm) - what happens?

(3 marks)

Answer 6

The Surface Area to Volume Ratio increases by a factor of 10 (0.6:1 to 6:1).

Question 7

Calculate the Surface Area to Volume Ratio when one side of a Cube is measured as 10cm.

(6 marks)

Answer 7

Surface Area:
Cube = 6 sides
- 1 side = 10 x 10 = 100cm^2
- 6 sides = 6 x 10 = 600cm^2

Volume:
- 10 x 10 x 10 = 1000cm^3

SA : V

Ans;

• 600 : 1000
• or 6 : 10
• or 0.6 : 1

Question 8

Calculate the Surface Area to Volume Ratio when one side of a Cube is measured as 1cm.

(4 marks)

Answer 8

Surface Area :

• 1 side = 1 x 1 = 1cm^2
• 6 sides = 1 x 6 = 6cm^2

Volume :
- 1 x 1 x 1 = 1 cm^3

SA : V
Ans; 6 : 1

Question 9

Nanoparticle Substances and the same Atoms (materials) in bulk.

(2 marks)

Answer 9

Have different properties - can be used to create very strong materials.

Question 10

Describe Gold Nanoparticles.

2 marks

Answer 10

Gold Nanoparticles are Deep Red, or Black, when mixed with Water.

Question 11

What are Fatty Nanoparticles?

3 marks

Answer 11

Known as ‘liposomes’, Fatty Nanoparticles have the potential to deliver tiny doses of medicines directly to Individual Cells.

Question 12

What are Nanoparticulate materials are already common in?

1 mark

Answer 12

Nanoparticulate materials are already common in Sunscreens.

Question 13

Why are Nanoparticles in sunscreens?

2 marks

Answer 13

Provide better skin coverage + more effective protection from the sun’s UV rays.

Question 14

What are the risks of using Nanoparticles in Sunscreen?

5 marks

Answer 14

• They may enter cells and cause damage.
• May be harmful to the environment.
• Could be more reactive or toxic than bulk material.

(These risks are difficult to determine because nanoparticles have not been in use for very long)