Combined Science GCSE
Surface area
What Surface area means in Combined Science GCSE, as defined for AQA.
Definitions of Surface area
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Reference: AQA
Finger-like projections, alveoli, filaments and lamellae, root hair cells, and broad leaves all increase this so that diffusion is maximised.
Greater surface area of a solid exposes more particles, so more collisions occur per second and the same mass reacts faster when powdered.
The total area of the membrane available for diffusion, providing more space through which particles can pass in a given time.
A larger surface area increases the rate of diffusion because more particles can cross the surface at the same time.
Emulsifying fat to form small droplets increases this, which increases the rate of fat breakdown by lipase.
A root hair cell's long, thin extension increases this for absorbing water and mineral ions from the soil.
Topics that use Surface area
- Collision theory and activation energy (AQA GCSE)
- Diffusion (AQA GCSE)
- Plant organ system (AQA GCSE)
- The human digestive system (AQA GCSE)
Related terms
- Gas exchange
- Absorption
- Activation energy
- Active site
- Active transport
- Adaptations of exchange surfaces
- Amino acids
- Amylase
Using Surface area in the exam
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