Nanotechnology

Question 1

Nanoparticle

Answer 1

Is a structure that is 1-100nm in size and contains a few hundred atoms

Question 2

Nanometre

Answer 2

10 to the power -9 m

Question 3

What is nanotechnology

Answer 3

The use and control of nanoparticles

Question 4

How to convert from nanometres to metres

Answer 4

Divide by 1X10 to the power of 9

Question 5

How to convert from metres to nanometres

Answer 5

Multiply by 1X10 to the power of 9

Question 6

What is an atom’s radius

Answer 6

0.1 nm

Question 7

Centimetre in metres and standard form

Answer 7

-0.01m
-1X10 to the power of -2

Question 8

Millimetres in metres and standard form

Answer 8

-0.001m
-1X10 to the power of -3

Question 9

Micrometres in metres and standard form

Answer 9

-0.000001m
-1X10 to the power of -6

Question 10

Nanometres in metres and standard form

Answer 10

-0.000000001m
-1X10 to the power of -9

Question 11

Picometres in metres and standard form

Answer 11

-0.000000000001
-1X10 to the power of -12

Question 12

Femptometres in metres and standard form

Answer 12

-0.000000000000001
-1X10 to the power of -15

Question 13

Use of nanotechnology in sports

Answer 13

-Added to materials to make them durable, stronger but also lighter
-E.g tennis rackets, golf clubs
-Forces between nanoparticles are strong so its use in sports equipment is excellent as it provides light and strong equipment

Question 14

Use of nanotechnology in medicine

Answer 14

-Silver nanoparticles used in dressings for burn injuries as it prevents bacterial growth
-Gold nanoparticles are being developed to improve cleaning of instruments in hospitals
-Silver nanoparticles have antibacterial properties used in plasters and in sprays in surgical theatres

Question 15

Use of nanotechnology in medicine - drug delivery

Answer 15

-Particles are engineered so they are attracted to diseased cells for direct treatment reducing damage to healthy cells
-Tiny doses of medicine can be delivered to individual meaning a much more targeted delivery to tumours without damage to healthy cells

Question 16

Use of nanotechnology in electronics

Answer 16

-Increase the capabilities of electronics devices while reducing weight and power consumptions
-Potential to make very small computers using carbon nanoparticles

Question 17

Use of nanotechnology in clothing

Answer 17

-Silver nanoparticles are added to socks so they don’t absorb the smell of sweaty feet
-Nanoparticles of silica added to fabric to form a coating that repels water
-Silver nanoparticles in socks act as antibacterial agents
-Stain resistant fabrics- Liquids run off in beads

Question 18

Nanoparticles in sun cream

Answer 18

-Some sun creams contain chemicals that absorb harmful UV rays so that our skin doesn’t
-Others act as physical sunblock reflecting UV rays
-Nanoparticles of Zinc Oxide and Titanium Oxide are used in sun creams

Question 19

Advantages of nanoparticles

Answer 19

-More effective protection from sun’s UV rays: Small particles size increases the chance of sun’s rays hitting zinc oxide and being absorbed or scattered
-Invisible on skin: Particles are so small so they appear colourless
-Better skin coverage: more uniform distribution of the particles

Question 20

Disadvantage of nanoparticles

Answer 20

-Potential cell damage in the body as the cells are so small they may be able to penetrate cell membranes in the body and may be more harmful than bulk materials
-Harmful effects on the environment

Question 21

Why do nanoparticles have different properties to the same material in bulk

Answer 21

Due to their high surface area to volume ratio