Agar cubes of three sizes (1, 2, 3 cm) containing pH indicator were submerged in vinegar. Time for acid to fully diffuse to the cube center was recorded.
Which best explains the trend?
- A
Surface area-to-volume ratio increases with size.
- Bcheck_circle
As edge length grows, volume increases faster than surface area, slowing diffusion to the center.
- C
Larger cubes have less acid available.
- D
Acid diffuses faster in larger cubes.
Explanation
Time scales roughly as length^2 (25, 100, 225). The decreasing surface-area-to-volume ratio in larger cubes lengthens the diffusion path to the center.