Size of an oil molecule

[Dhruv Patel]

Scientifically Oriented Question - What is the estimated size of an oil molecule? 

Evidence - First we measured the molecule to find its diameter which was 0.5 mm. Next we split that number in half to find its radius which was 0.25 mm. Then the next step was to find the volume of the molecule and we used the formula for the volume of a sphere. We plugged in the numbers and found out the volume of the molecule was 0.065 mm^3. After figuring out the volume the next part of the lab was to find the are of the oil molecule. Our group found the area to be 0.196 mm^2 along with the thickness where we measured it to be 0.331 mm.

Explanation - The whole purpose of the lab was to find the size of the oil molecule. And based off what the lab says how the thickness of an oil molecule is the same thing as the size of the oil molecule. We used the many formulas for volume and area to get our results and also to complete the lab by finding the size of an oil molecule, 0.331 mm.

Connection - The whole purpose of finding the size of the oil molecule was to understand the concept of nanotechnology. Nano tech is used in a variety of ways from equipment to medications. In this lab we learned how to measure the size of nano particle and in result the method and skills gained can help us understand the procedure done with nano tech in medicine such as how nano particles can help improve our health and there are some that do the opposite.

Communication - After completing my lab I learned how to measure nano particles and with the knowledge I can show others how to do it too through volume, area, and the other variables needed for the process in measuring a nano particle.

Reflection - After looking and comparing through the many other reports\discussions by other students I can see that most of the students have some what similar results as to what I have. Based on the fact that most of us having similar data we can see that most of us understand the concept of the nano particle and how to measure it by simply measuring the size of an oil molecule.