Introduction

Abstract

There is a convenient mathematical idealization which asserts that a cube of edge length, l cm, possesses a surface area of 6 l² cm² and that a sphere of radius r cm exhibits 4πr² cm² of surface. In reality, however, mathematical, perfect or ideal geometric forms are unattainable since under microscopic examinations all real surfaces exhibit flaws. For example, if a ‘super microscope’ were available one would observe surface roughness due not only to the atomic or molecular orbitals at the surface but also due to voids, steps, pores and other surface imperfections. These surface imperfections will always create real surface area greater than the corresponding geometric area.