Diesel engines release tiny particles of soot into the air. Scientists are worried about the effects of these particles on health.
The table shows the diameters of some particles.
| Particle | Diameter / m |
|---|---|
| a typical atom | 1 × 10-10 |
| soot nanoparticle from a diesel engine | 2.5 × 10-8 |
| fine dust particle | 2.5 × 10-6 |
| coarse dust particle | 1 × 10-5 |
Give the diameter of the soot nanoparticle in nanometres.
Calculate how many times larger the diameter of the fine dust particle is than the diameter of the soot nanoparticle.
Explain, using data from the table, why the soot particle is described as a nanoparticle but the fine dust particle is not.
Explain why soot nanoparticles in the air may be more harmful to health than larger dust particles.
Explain why nanoparticles of a substance can have different properties from larger pieces of the same substance.
36 exam-style questions on Edexcel GCSE Chemistry 10.5 Bulk and surface properties of matter including nanoparticles, covering 10.5.1 Nanoparticles: size, uses and risks and 10.5.2 Comparing and selecting materials. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.