A cubical microparticle of zinc oxide (ZnO\text{ZnO}ZnO) has six square faces. The dimensions of this microparticle are 1.2 μm×1.2 μm×1.2 μm1.2\ \mu\text{m} \times 1.2\ \mu\text{m} \times 1.2\ \mu\text{m}1.2 μm×1.2 μm×1.2 μm.
This microparticle is processed to break it down into 800080008000 identical smaller nanocubes, each with dimensions 60 nm×60 nm×60 nm60\text{ nm} \times 60\text{ nm} \times 60\text{ nm}60 nm×60 nm×60 nm.
Calculate:
The total surface area of the original microparticle in μm2\mu\text{m}^2μm2.
The total combined surface area of the 800080008000 nanocubes in μm2\mu\text{m}^2μm2.
The ratio of the combined surface area of the 800080008000 nanocubes to the surface area of the original microparticle.
3 exam-style questions on AQA GCSE Chemistry 2.4 Bulk and surface properties of matter including nanoparticles, covering 2.4.1 Sizes of particles and their properties and 2.4.2 Uses of nanoparticles. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.