Physics Commons^™

Size Matters, Morton Sternheim

Nanotechnology Teacher Summer Institutes

Size matters in the way materials behave. An introductory PowerPoint and an activity write-up. Three activities illustrate how the surface to volume ratio changes as the size changes. In the first, a deck of playing cards is used to make square arrays of cards of increasing size. Next wooden cubes are used to make similar observations in 3 dimensions. Finally, comparing the rates at which an intact Alka Seltzer tablet and a crushed tablet react in water shows the effect of particle size on chemical reactions.

Powers Of Ten: From Meters To Nanometers And Beyond, Rob Snyder

Nanotechnology Teacher Summer Institutes

The goal of this activity is to guide students toward an understanding of nanoscale dimensions by:

• Making a number of measurements using meter sticks, magnifiers, microscopes and spectrometers so students can make observations and generate their own data.

• Using scientific notation to compare the measurements they have made with the dimensions of very small structures