Question

There are 10 drops of hexane in one ml, it took 39 drops to form a phospholipid bilayer, Assuming the molecules are square, what is the area of one molecule?

Answer 1

Assume that the diameter of the watch glass is 9.5 cm.

There are 10 drops of hexagon in 1 mL.

V = volume of hexagon in per drop =
`$(1)/(10)$` mL per drop

V = 0.1 mL per drop

N = number of drops to form phospholipid layer

N = 39 (assumed)

`$\bar V$` = volume of hexagon required to form phospholipid layer

`$\bar V$` = V x N

`$\bar V$` = 0.1 x 39

= 3.9 mL

Since 1 mL = 1
`$cm^3$`

∴
`$\bar V$` = 3.9
`$cm^3$`

d = diameter of the watch glass = 9.5 cm

A = area of one molecule

`$A=(\bar V )/(\pi d)$`

`$A=(3.9 )/(3.14 * 9.5)$`

`$A=0.1307 \ cm^2$`