# Nanoparticles of a material can have different properties to the same material in bulk. Explain why nanoparticles have different properties to the same material in bulk.

> AQA GCSE Chemistry (8462) — 4.2.4 Bulk and surface properties including nanoparticles (Chem only) · Explain · 4 marks

> Silver is used as an antibacterial agent. Silver nanoparticles are more effective as an antibacterial agent than the same mass of bulk silver.

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Nanoparticles are much smaller than bulk materials / nanoparticles have diameters of 1–100 nm
2. Nanoparticles have a much larger surface area to volume ratio than bulk material
3. A greater proportion of atoms are exposed / on the surface (compared to bulk material)
4. This means nanoparticles can interact / react more effectively with their surroundings, leading to different / enhanced properties

## Key terms

- [nanoparticles](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/nanoparticles)
- [bulk](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/bulk)

## Related

- [Revision notes for AQA GCSE Chemistry (8462)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/nanoparticles-of-a-material-can-have-6ee3d49c) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.