Surface area

Surface area is the measure of the total area that the surface of an object occupies. It is calculated in square units. In mathematics, surface area is used to calculate the area of three-dimensional objects such as cubes, cylinders, spheres, and more complex shapes. In biology and medicine, surface area is important in understanding the function of cells and organs, as well as in drug delivery and absorption.

Mathematics

In mathematics, the surface area of a solid object is a measure of the total area that the surface of the object occupies. It is often expressed in square units such as square centimeters (cm^2), square meters (m^2), square kilometers (km^2), and so on. The surface area of a three-dimensional object is calculated differently depending on the shape of the object.

Cubes and Rectangular Prisms

The surface area of a cube is calculated by the formula 6s^2, where s is the length of a side of the cube. The surface area of a rectangular prism is calculated by the formula 2lw + 2lh + 2wh, where l is the length, w is the width, and h is the height.

Cylinders and Spheres

The surface area of a cylinder is calculated by the formula 2πr(r + h), where r is the radius of the base and h is the height. The surface area of a sphere is calculated by the formula 4πr^2, where r is the radius of the sphere.

Biology and Medicine

In biology and medicine, surface area is important in understanding the function of cells and organs. For example, the surface area of the lungs is critical for gas exchange, and the surface area of the intestines is important for nutrient absorption. In addition, surface area is a key factor in drug delivery and absorption.

See Also

• Area
• Volume
• Mathematics
• Biology
• Medicine

Surface area Resources
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