EXPERIMENT 08

AIM

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To calculate the SA/V ratio of simple objects to understand nanotechnology.

PRACTICAL OUTCOME

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Use simple object to calculate the SA/V ratio in order to understand nanotechnology.

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ADDITIONAL OUTCOMES
On performing this experiment, student will be able to,

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 Choose proper Unit System for an object of interest.
 Name the different parts of measuring instrument.

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 Find the least count of the given measuring instrument.
 Calculate the surface area and volume of given simple objects.
 Calculate the SA/V ratio for any given simple objects.
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 Relate how SA/V ratio affects the properties of given material.

APPRATUS AND MATERIAL REQUIRED

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Scale, Cube, sphere

PRINCIPLE
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Some properties that are dependent on the surface area are heating, cooling,
taste, feel, capacitance, resistance. Some properties which are dependent on
volume are weight, mass, inertia.
Surface area and volume both quantities are important in determining how the
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material will interact with the world around it. Not only quantity but the ratio of
surface area to volume is also a factor in how that material will interact and
amount of reactivity.
The amount of surface area determines the degree of reactivity of a material
chemical, biological and physical reaction such as rusting, burning, decay surface
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tension and binding strength. All depend upon surface area. More surface area
means more surface molecules are exposed to the interfacing environment.
Nanotechnology: It is engineering functional system at the molecular scale by
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using advanced techniques to make complete high-performance product.

For a given volume of material as that material is broken into smaller and smaller
pieces are surface rea available for interaction increases. Use of nano particles is
being applied in catalytic convertors, batteries and drugs to increase the
effectiveness of process without increasing the total volume of material require.
The ratio of surface area to volume is actually a measurement of percentage of
molecules that are on the surface of the material as compared to total number of

Experiment – 08 Surface area to Volume ratio (SA/V Ratio) 1

 molecules in entire mass of material. Therefore, greater the surface area to volume
ratio greater is the chemical, physical and biological reactivity of material.
Examples are as under:
(1) A macro scale gold is inert element which does not react with any material whereas
at nano scale it becomes extremely reactive and can be used as catalyst to speed up

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reaction.
(2) Biological example being digestive system with in small intestine, there are millions

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fold and sub folds that increase are of inner lining of digestive track surface which
absorbs more nutrients and chemicals and increase the rate of digestion. This is a
natural advantages of increase surface area to volume ratio.

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CH
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5 cm
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1 cm
1 cm
1 cm
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5 cm
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5 cm

Experiment – 08 Surface area to Volume ratio (SA/V Ratio) 2

 Demonstration: The links to nanotechnology is that as particles get smaller the smaller
the surface area to volume ratio increases, increases the reactivity. It can be
demonstrated by following activity.
(1) Take the three tablets of equal volume and same brand.
(2) First tablet is left intact, second broken into 3 to 4 pieces and third ground to

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powder.
(3) Each is placed in beaker and same some amount of water is poured to beaker at the

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same time.
(4) Observe which will dissolve first.
(5) How much time it takes to dissolve each sample?
(6) Conclude the result.

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Basic Concepts of surface area to volume ratio
(1) SA/V ratio is not a constant value
(2) Higher SA/V ratio more physical, chemical and biological reactivity.
(3) SA/V ratio changes as the shape of objects changes for same volume flatter and
elongated shape has more SA/V ratio.

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(4) SA/V ratio changes linearly as size of the object changes to particular shape.
Smaller the size higher the SA/V ratio.
(5) SA/V ratio changes as texture of surface changes. Rougher the surface higher the
SA/V ratio.

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PROCEDURE CH
To observe the effect on SA/V ration of object changes the size.
1. Use Honey wax or clay to mold the object of desired shape.
2. Mold the object in regular cube.
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3. Measure the size of the intact cube and calculate the total surface area and volume.
4. Find surface area to volume ratio.
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5. Cut the object in number of smaller but identical cubes.

6. Find the total surface area of all cut cubes and volume remains same.
7. Find surface area to volume ration.
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8. Compare the SA/V ration of intact cube and cut cube.

OBSERVATIONS
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INTACT CUBE CUT CUBE

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Size of Cube 𝐵𝐵 = ___________ Size of Cube 𝑏𝑏 = ___________

Number of surfaces 𝑁𝑁𝑆𝑆 = _____________ Number of surfaces 𝑛𝑛𝑆𝑆 = _____________

Number of cubes 𝑁𝑁 = ______________ Number of cubes 𝑛𝑛 = ______________

Experiment – 08 Surface area to Volume ratio (SA/V Ratio) 3

CALCULATION
INTACT CUBE CUT CUBE

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Surface Area of the cube = 𝐵𝐵 × 𝐵𝐵 × 𝑁𝑁𝑆𝑆 × 𝑁𝑁 = 𝑏𝑏 × 𝑏𝑏 × 𝑛𝑛𝑆𝑆 × 𝑛𝑛

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Volume of the cube = 𝐵𝐵 × 𝐵𝐵 × 𝐵𝐵 × 𝑁𝑁 = 𝑏𝑏 × 𝑏𝑏 × 𝑏𝑏 × 𝑛𝑛

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SA/V Ratio
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CONCLUSION
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Conclusion:
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SUGGESTED ADDITIONAL EXPERIMENTS/ACTIVITIES

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1) Determine the SA/V ratio for other objects.

2) In nature, there are animals with different sizes living in different
environment and evolved due to natural selection. The greater the
surface area to volume ratio of an animal, he more heat it loses relative
to its volume.

Experiment – 08 Surface area to Volume ratio (SA/V Ratio) 4

VIVA VOCE
1. What is Vernier constant?

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a) zero correction
b) angular Vernier
c) least constant

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d) least count
2. What is the function of sliding strip or rod?
a) to measure the diameter of certain objects

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b) to measure the radius of certain objects
c) to measure the width of certain objects
d) to measure the depth of certain objects
3. what determine the rate of nutrients and waste are exchanged from cell and the
environment?

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a) Surface area
b) Volume
c) Density

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d) Surface area to volume ratio
4. Which cells are more efficient at obtaining nutrients?
a) Small cell CH
b) Medium size cells
c) Large cells
d) Extra-large cells
5. As a cell’s size increases, its ratio of surface area to volume
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a) Increases
b) Decreases
c) Does not change
d) None of above
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6. The best possible method to increase surface area is

a) Grow larger
b) Divide into smaller pieces
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c) Mixing with other material of same type

d) None of above
7. Which solid with a volume of 12 sq. units would have the greatest surface area
to volume ratio?
a) 1cm x 1cm x 12cm
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b) 1cm x 2cm x 6cm

c) 1cm x 4cm x 3cm
d) 2cm x 2cm x 3cm
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8. Which property of nanoparticles provides a driving force for diffusion?

a) Optical Properties
b) High surface area to volume ratio
c) Sintering
d) There is no such property.
9. The colour of the nano gold particles is __________

Experiment – 08 Surface area to Volume ratio (SA/V Ratio) 5

 a) Yellow
b) Orange
c) Red
d) Variable

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10. On both ends of the CNTs, which carbon nanostructure is placed?
a) a) Graphite

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b) b) Diamond
c) c) C60
d) d) Benzene

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ASSESMENT SCHEME

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Sr. Performance Indicators for the Practical Weightage in Total Marks Marks
No. Outcomes % Obtained
1 Prepare of experimental setup CH 20 2
2 Operate the equipment setup or circuit 20 2
3 Follow safe practices measures 10 1
4 Record observations correctly 20 2
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5 Interpret the result and conclude 30 3

TOTAL 100 10
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Signature of Teacher: __________________

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Experiment – 08 Surface area to Volume ratio (SA/V Ratio) 6