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Chemistry · Paper 2 · Foundation + Higher

Surface area: lumps or small pieces?

Key ideas1 of 3

Expose more of the solid

Breaking a solid into smaller pieces increases the total exposed surface area. More reactant particles can collide with its surface each second. The mass stays the same.

A cube with side length 2 cm, and eight separated cubes each with side length 1 cm. The drawing is schematic.

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Practice, downloads and sources

Daily 5 · Exam practice · Revision sheet ↓

Foundation + Higher. C6 · Rate and extent of chemical change.

AQA Combined Science Trilogy 8464 · 5.6.1.2–5.6.1.3. Original teaching notes, questions and diagrams. Animations are simplified models; speeds and practical readings are illustrative.