What has more surface area? Fine sand or pebbles?

Question

If you have 5 mL of both, which one has more surface area?

Answer 1

fine sand

Answer 2

Fine sand. The easiest way to understand the Central Limit Theorem of calculus is to extend this question by using ever finer particles until they become infinitely small. You now have a constant volume with and infinite number of particles but those have no space between them where the pebbles did. Those spaces between the pebbles (compared with the sand) represent "opportunities" for more surface area. Another way to visualize this is to assume all the particles are spherical and recognize that some of the sand sized ones could be added to the pebble sized ones without over flowing the 5ml limit (by filling the open spaces).

Answer 3

It would seem that this is an issue of the ratio of the surface area to the volume. Does an individual grain of sand have more surface area when compared to its total volume than an individual pebble. If so, then the total surface area of the sand would have to be greater than the total surface area of the pebbles.

Answer 4

The sand, by either weight or volume. Take a hammer, and whack a pebble until it fractures, collecting all the pieces. The weight is the same, but the surface area has obviously increased by the area of the fracture surfaces.

Answer 5

the fine sand has more surface area.
To easily test this:As an example, if you has ice that was chopped into fine particles or pebble sized, which would melt faster if exposed to same conditions? The sand sized would, due to greater exposure to the conditions

Answer 6

I would answer fine sand because it doesn't have as much empty space between the grains of sand as pepples.

Answer 7

the fine pebbles

Answer 8

pebbles are larger and more poures (holes) the holes have surface to.

Answer 9

Sand, by far

Answer 10

just fill glass with each and water. pour out water into another glass. should find answer.