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    Home » Key Stage 3 Science » Sugar Cube Surface Area to Volume Ratio Investigation

    Sugar Cube Surface Area to Volume Ratio Investigation

    February 3, 2022 By Emma Vanstone Leave a Comment

    Generally the bigger an organism is the smaller its surface area compared to its volume.

    Surface area to volume ratio is a really important factor in how well an organism can exchange substances with its environment. A large mammal like a human could never absorb enough oxygen to survive through its skin which is why mammals have lungs. Lungs contain millions of tiny sacs called alveoli which provide a large surface area for gas exchange. In humans the alveoli cover have a surface area of around 100m2. Comparatively the surface area of the average adult’s skin is only around 2 m2!!

    Examples of organisms exchanging substances with their environment

    Gas exchange in the lungs

    The lungs of humans ( and other mammals ) are where gas exchange occurs. Oxygen is transferred into the blood and carbon dioxide ( the waste product of respiration ) is removed. For this process to be efficient it needs a large surface area. The alveoli ( tiny sac like structures ) provide this.

    How are the alveoli specially adapted for gas exchange?

    • Huge surface area.
    • Thin walls ( so the gases don’t have far to travel )
    • A moist lining so the gases can dissolve.
    • A good blood supply.
    gas exchange in a alveolus
    Gas Exchange in Humans

    Oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchange by a process called diffusion. When blood arrives at the alveoli it is returning to the lungs after transporting oxygen to cells of the body and collecting carbon dioxide to be expelled out from the lungs. The concentration of carbon dioxide in the blood is high ( and low in the alveoli ) and the concentration of oxygen in the alveoli high ( and low in the blood ) so a concentration gradient is maintained for diffusion.

    Carbon dioxide diffuses out of the blood into the alveoli.

    Oxygen diffuses from the alveoli to the blood.

    Villi in the digestive system

    The small intestine contains lots of tiny projections called villi. Like the alveoli in the lungs these increase the surface area of the small intestine.

    Food that has been broken down into small molecules is absorbed into the blood via the villi.

    Plant leaves and photosynthesis

    The leaves of plants have a large surface area to volume ratio which allows them to absorb a lot of light for photosynthesis.The thin leaves also allow easy diffusion of carbon dioxide and oxygen in and out of the leaf.

    diagram of a leaf

    Surface area to volume ratio with sugar cubes

    This simple activity demonstrates easily the difference surface area to volume ratio can make.

    You’ll need

    Sugar cubes

    3 small trays or plates

    Food colouring

    Small measuring container

    Water

    Instructions

    Half fill the measuring container and add a little food colouring.

    Pour a thin layer of the coloured water onto the each plate. Make sure each has the same amount of water.

    Place a single sugar cube onto one plate and time how long it takes for the sugar cube to change colour completely.

    Now place 8 sugar cubes ( in the arrangement the sugar cubes labelled 1 ) onto the next plate and time how long they take to become fully saturated.

    This time place 8 sugar cubes ( in the arrangement of the sugar cubes labelled 2 ) onto the next plate and time how long they take to become fully saturated.

    Surface area and volume ratio calculations

    Volume = length x width x height

    Surface area = length x width

    Single cube

    Each side is 1cm long

    The surface area of the single cube is: (1x 1) x 6 ( 6 sides ) = 6cm2

    Volume is 1 x 1 x 1 = 1 cm2

    Surface area to volume ratio is 6 : 1

    Sugar Cube Arrangement 1

    Volume 2 x 4 x 1 = 8

    Surface area

    Top and bottom (4 x 2) x 2 = 16

    Sides ( 2 x 1 ) x 2 = 4 and

    (4 x 1 ) x 2 = 8

    Total surface area 28

    Surface area to volume ratio = 28:8 simplified to 3.5:1

    Sugar Cube arrangement 2

    Volume

    2 x 2 x 2 = 8cm2

    Surface area

    ( 2 x 2 ) x 6 = 24

    Surface area to volume ratio 24 :8 simplified to 3:1

    sugar cubes arranged differently for a surface area to volume ratio activity

    Sugar cube arrangement 1 has a larger surface area compared to its volume, so you should find that this arrangement absorbs water faster than arrangement 2!

    surface area to volume ration investigation
    surface area to volume ration science investigation - key stage 3

    Quick Surface Area to Volume Ratio Facts

    Some organisms have a specially adapted body shape to increase their surface area to volume ratio. Flatworms have a flattened body to allow substances to pass in and out easily.

    Elephants have big ears to increase their surface area to volume ratio which allows them to cool down more effectively as they have a larger surface area over which to lose heat.

    Last Updated on August 6, 2022 by Emma Vanstone

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    Safety Notice

    Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

    These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

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