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Surface Area : Volume

Biology: AQA GCSE Higher, topic 1.3.3

Surface Area to Volume Ratio

The higher the surface area to volume ratio, the higher the rate of diffusion.

Cube with 2cm sides

Cube with 2cm sides

  • A cube with 2cm sides will have a volume of 8cm3 and a surface area of 24cm2.
  • The surface area to volume ratio will be 3:1.
Cube with 1cm sides

Cube with 1cm sides

  • A cube with 1cm sides will have a volume of 1cm3 and a surface area of 6cm2.
  • The surface area to volume ratio will be 6:1.
Cube with 3cm sides

Cube with 3cm sides

  • A cube with 3cm sides will have a volume of 27 cm3 and a surface area of 54 cm2.
  • The surface area to volume ratio will be 2:1.

Test yourself on Surface Area : Volume

  • How is a root hair cell adapted for absorption of water and nutrients?

  • What happens to a cube's surface area to volume ratio as its side length increases?

  • What is the surface area of a cube with 3cm sides?

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