9.35C - The size of nanoparticles

9.35C - The size of nanoparticles

Learn how nanoparticles compare in size with atoms and simple molecules, how to convert nanometres into metres, and how to calculate a diameter ratio.

Separate Chemistry.

Atoms, molecules and the nanoscale

A nanometre (nm) is one billionth of a metre. Nanometres describe lengths such as a particle's diameter.

Nanometres and metres

1 nm=1×10−9 m1\ \mathrm{nm}=1\times10^{-9}\ \mathrm{m}

Multiply a length in nm by 10−910^{-9} to express it in metres.

Nanoparticle

A nanoparticle has a size of about 1–100 nm. For a roughly spherical particle, this usually means its diameter.

The range is 1×10−91\times10^{-9} m to 1×10−71\times10^{-7} m. A typical atom is about 0.1 nm across: smaller than a nanoparticle. A nanoparticle usually contains many atoms.

ObjectApproximate size
Typical atom0.1 nm
Many simple moleculesA few tenths of a nm to about 1 nm
Nanoparticle1–100 nm

Simple molecules contain a small number of bonded atoms and are usually smaller than nanoparticles. This is a comparison with simple molecules: large molecules, such as some polymers, can be much bigger.

[DIAGRAM: asset_name: nanoparticle_size_scale: Nanoparticle size scale - diagram 1; asset_slug: 239_9_35c_nanoparticle_size_compared_with_atoms_and_molecules_diagram1; file: 239_9_35c_nanoparticle_size_compared_with_atoms_and_molecules_diagram1.png; recommended_method: deterministic_drawn; description: Exact monochrome logarithmic size line from 0.1 nm to 100 nm. It labels a typical atom at about 0.1 nm, a simple molecule at about 0.3 to 1 nm, and the nanoparticle range at 1 to 100 nm. It also shows the conversion 1 nm = 1 x 10^-9 m and a worked comparison, 50 nm / 0.1 nm = 500 times larger in diameter. Deterministic drawing is required because the scale labels and comparison values are assessed.]
Diagram

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