Nanoparticle: A particle between 1 and 100 nanometres in size, which typically shows different properties from the same material in bulk form due to its very high surface area to volume ratio.
Nanometre (nm): A unit of length equal to 10⁻⁹ m (one billionth of a metre) — the scale at which nanoparticles exist.
Surface area to volume ratio: The ratio of a particle's surface area to its total volume — this increases dramatically as particle size decreases, making nanoparticles more reactive.
Fullerene: A molecular form of carbon in which carbon atoms form hollow cage or tube structures (e.g., C₆₀ buckminsterfullerene); used in drug delivery and as lubricants.
Nanotechnology: The design and application of materials and devices at the nanoscale (1-100 nm), exploiting the unique properties that emerge at this size scale.
This definitions covers Key Definitions within Nanoparticles (HT) for GCSE Chemistry. Revise Nanoparticles (HT) in Bonding & Structure for GCSE Chemistry with 22 exam-style questions and 21 flashcards. This topic appears regularly enough that it should still be part of a steady revision cycle. It is section 5 of 12 in this topic. Make sure you can use the exact wording confidently, because definition marks are often lost through vague language.
Practice questions for Nanoparticles (HT)
What is the size range of nanoparticles?
Describe the structure of graphene and state one property that arises from this structure.