Difference between revisions of "Nanoparticles"
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==Key Stage 4== | ==Key Stage 4== | ||
===Meaning=== | ===Meaning=== | ||
| − | [[ | + | [[Nanoparticles]] are small clumps of [[atom]]s which are between 1 and 100 [[nanometre]]s (billionths of a [[metre]]) in [[length]], [[width]] or [[height]]. |
===About Nanoparticles=== | ===About Nanoparticles=== | ||
| − | : A [[Hydrogen]] [[atom]] has a | + | : A [[Hydrogen]] [[atom]] has a radius of 0.1[[nanometre]]s so 10 [[Hydrogen]] [[atom]]s lined up can make one [[nanometre]]. A '''nanoparticle''' may have a [[width]] of as little as 10 [[atom]]s or as many as 1000 [[atom]]s. (NB [[Hydrogen]] is being used as a comparison for the [[width]] and most [[nanoparticles]] are made of other types of [[atom]].) |
| − | : A [[substance]] that is broken down into [[ | + | : A [[substance]] that is broken down into [[nanoparticles]] may have very different [[property|properties]] to large [[Volume (Space)|volumes]] of the [[substance]]. |
| − | : The [[Surface Area to Volume Ratio|surface area to volume ratio]] of [[ | + | : The [[Surface Area to Volume Ratio|surface area to volume ratio]] of [[nanoparticles]] is much higher than large [[Volume (Space)|volumes]] of the same [[substance]]. It is this large [[Surface Area|surface area]] compared to the [[Volume (Space)|volume]] that gives it the different [[property|properties]]. |
| − | : In 'bulk' [[material]]s a very small proportion of [[atom]]s exist on the surface of the [[material]]. However, for [[ | + | : In 'bulk' [[material]]s a very small proportion of [[atom]]s exist on the surface of the [[material]]. However, for [[nanoparticles]] a much larger proportion of [[atom]]s exist on the surface allowing those [[particle]]s to interact with others around it. |
| + | |||
| + | ===Risks of Nanoparticles=== | ||
| + | : [[Inhale|Inhaling]] [[nanoparticles]] may damage the [[lungs]]. Recent research has suggested Carbon Nanotubes may be [[harmful]] if [[inhale]]d. | ||
| + | : [[Nanoparticles]] of certain [[reactivity|reactive]] [[metal]]s [[Chemical Reaction|react]] very quickly with [[Oxygen]] due to their large [[Surface Area]] which could result in an [[explosive|explosion]] if ignited. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Examples=== | ||
| + | *[[Zinc Oxide]] - [[Nanoparticles]] of [[Zinc Oxide]] are used in sunscreen to [[absorb (Physics)|absorb]] [[Ultra-violet]] [[light]]. [[Zinc Oxide]] normally forms a white powder, but [[nanoparticles]] of [[Zinc Oxide]] are smaller enough not to for a white layer over the [[skin]]. | ||
| + | *[[Silver]] - [[Nanoparticles]] of [[Silver]] can prevent the growth of [[Micro-organism]]s. | ||
| + | *[[Catalyst]]s - [[Nanoparticles]] of [[Catalyst]]s are far more efficient than larger [[particle]]s due to their very large [[Surface Area|surface area]]. | ||
| + | *Nanocages - A nanocage made of [[Carbon]] in the form of a fullerene or a Carbon Nanotube can contain a [[drug]] so it can be delivered to the right location in the body. | ||
Latest revision as of 14:46, 3 April 2019
Key Stage 4
Meaning
Nanoparticles are small clumps of atoms which are between 1 and 100 nanometres (billionths of a metre) in length, width or height.
About Nanoparticles
- A Hydrogen atom has a radius of 0.1nanometres so 10 Hydrogen atoms lined up can make one nanometre. A nanoparticle may have a width of as little as 10 atoms or as many as 1000 atoms. (NB Hydrogen is being used as a comparison for the width and most nanoparticles are made of other types of atom.)
- A substance that is broken down into nanoparticles may have very different properties to large volumes of the substance.
- The surface area to volume ratio of nanoparticles is much higher than large volumes of the same substance. It is this large surface area compared to the volume that gives it the different properties.
- In 'bulk' materials a very small proportion of atoms exist on the surface of the material. However, for nanoparticles a much larger proportion of atoms exist on the surface allowing those particles to interact with others around it.
Risks of Nanoparticles
- Inhaling nanoparticles may damage the lungs. Recent research has suggested Carbon Nanotubes may be harmful if inhaled.
- Nanoparticles of certain reactive metals react very quickly with Oxygen due to their large Surface Area which could result in an explosion if ignited.
Examples
- Zinc Oxide - Nanoparticles of Zinc Oxide are used in sunscreen to absorb Ultra-violet light. Zinc Oxide normally forms a white powder, but nanoparticles of Zinc Oxide are smaller enough not to for a white layer over the skin.
- Silver - Nanoparticles of Silver can prevent the growth of Micro-organisms.
- Catalysts - Nanoparticles of Catalysts are far more efficient than larger particles due to their very large surface area.
- Nanocages - A nanocage made of Carbon in the form of a fullerene or a Carbon Nanotube can contain a drug so it can be delivered to the right location in the body.