Overview
One basic idea that even Einstein started with is that our physical universe is made of matter and energy. 1 Matter and energy are therefore, studied in the area of chemistry and physics. The chemistry component addresses questions such as what is the composition of matter. The physics component is more concerned with the forces responsible for holding atoms together. To understand matter on tiny scales requires one to have a basic understanding of chemistry and physics. This basic understanding will help individuals understand why the properties and functions of matter change as materials go from bulk size substances to nanoparticles of the same materials.
We accept the idea that we live in both a macroscopic and microscopic world. The macroscopic world includes the objects we see objects with our naked eye. The microscopic world requires us to use special tools such as microscopes to view very tiny objects. The emergence of technology has afforded us an opportunity to discover more about our microscopic world and the overall importance of size in our lives. Small children are acutely aware of size differences in their world. Their world is full of large adults whom they are constantly looking up to in an effort to assess the world around them. The reference point for humans as it relates to size is generally our own size. Although we see and compare objects all around us by size, we seldom stop to think of the importance of size in our everyday life.
Bonner notes that there are five rules that correlate to size and the properties of matter. 2 Two of these rules will be the discussed in this unit. The first rule for review is strength varies with size. The second rule for review is surface area varies with size. One should be aware that size also affects the divisions of labor among organisms, and the rate at which living processes such as metabolism, generation time, longevity, and the speed of locomotion. 3 Size is also a determining factor in regards to the abundance of an organism in nature.
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