Let’s Compare
Nanotechnology Scale
Adapted from “How Small Are Nanotubes”, Materials
Research Science and Engineering Center, University
of Wisconsin–Madison. Developed with funding from
the MathScience Innovation Center
Major
Concept
Nanotechnology usually is defined between 1 – 100 nanometers.
Students (and adults) often have difficulty understanding a scale this
small. This activity relates the size (diameter) of a human hair to the
diameter of a nanotube, one of the more common structures in
nanotechnology.
Learning
Objectives
Students will develop an appreciation of the nanotechnology scale.
State and
National
Correlations
Virginia Standards of Learning: Science 2010: 6.1, 6.4, PS.1, PS.2;
Math 2009: 7.1, 8.1
National Science Education Standards: Properties of Matter, Science
and Technology
Safety
Follow regular safety rules and procedures for labs and activities.
Materials
Needed


Procedures
1. Background:
Discuss scale and diameter with students. Point out that materials at
the nanoscale are much smaller than we are accustomed to working
with and are invisible to the human eye. Scientists and engineers
have developed technologies that allow us to see and work at this
scale (Scanning Electron Microscopes and Atomic Force
Microscopes).
4m of rope
Any variety of cylinders with different diameters, the smallest
being a mechanical pencil lead
The nanoscale is typically defined as between 1nm and 100nm (10-9
to 10-7). We can compare a common nanotechnology item, a
nanotube (approximately 4nm in diameter) to a human hair, which
Let’s Compare Nanotechnology Scale
http://mathinscience.info
©MathScience Innovation Center, 2010
we can see, to get an idea of the scale that scientists and engineers
are now working.
2. Procedures
a. Have students stand in a circle with a diameter of 4m. Use a 4m
rope or string to establish the diameter. Ask students to
visualize that they are a large human hair extending up and
down.
b. Ask students for ideas on what they think could represent a
nanotube compared to the human hair. How large or small
would the item need to be?
c. Hold items of different diameters inside the circle and ask
students if the item could represent a nanotube compared to the
4m human hair.
d. The mechanical pencil lead best represents a 4nm nanotube
compared to the 4m human hair.
Teaching
Tips
1. For lower grades visualizing relative scale is probably the most you
can expect to achieve. Before showing different objects within the
circle, ensure students can visualize the “big hair” they represent.
2. For higher grades, you can discuss scientific notation and multiples
of 10. Point out that manipulating objects at this scale is extremely
difficult, not only because of the size of objects but also because
particles move randomly and stick to one another.
References:
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Lesson activity adapted from “How Small are Nanotubes.” The
Nanotechnology Activity Guides are a product of the Materials
Research Science and Engineering Center and the Internships in Public
Science Education Project of the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
Funding provided by the National Science Foundation.
http://www.mrsec.wisc.edu/Edetc/curriculum/index.html
MathScience Innovation Center
Information on educational programs available to students, teachers,
and school divisions and procedures for registering for programs.
http://msinnovation.info
Let’s Compare Nanotechnology Scale
http://mathinscience.info
©MathScience Innovation Center, 2010
Let’s Compare Nanotechnology Scale
http://mathinscience.info
©MathScience Innovation Center, 2010