Bulk& Surface properties of matter

• How is the size of nanoparticles different from normal-sized particles?

  Nanoparticles are small
• Nanoparticles are needed in only very small amounts. Suggest why.

  They have a high surface area to volume ratio
• What would you see when sodium hydroxide solution is added drop by drop to tap water containing aluminium ions?

  Produces a white precipitate which dissolves
• Suggest two ways in which using ‘nanocoated’ tennis balls would be good for the environment.

  Less energy

  Less fuel
• Why is it important to stop carbon monoxide (CO) from being released into the air?

  Poisonous
• Suggest why a manufacturer of catalytic converters would want to use less catalyst.

  Reduce cost
• Suggest why silver stops unpleasant smells when wearing the socks.

  Kills bacteria
• The silver nanoparticles should be trapped in the sock fibres. Use the information in the article to explain why


  So, they don’t get released during washing
• Suggest and explain why the use of nanosized catalyst particles reduces the cost of the catalytic converter.

  They’re smaller with a bigger surface area so less catalyst is needed
• Magnesium oxide contains magnesium ions (Mg2+) and oxide ions (O2–). Describe, as fully as you can, what happens when magnesium atoms react with oxygen atoms to produce magnesium oxide.

  magnesium loses electrons and oxygen gains electrons

  there’s two electrons per atom which gives full outer shells
• Describe the structure of a metal

  Has a giant structure with Positive ions held by strong electrostatic forces of attraction and delocalised electrons which move through the structure and carry charge