The surface area of a sphere
I can calculate the surface area of a sphere.
The surface area of a sphere
I can calculate the surface area of a sphere.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- There is a formula for the surface area of a sphere.
- Demonstration allows you to see that this formula works.
- The formula can be used to calculate a missing measurement when the surface area is known.
Keywords
Sphere - A sphere is a 3D shape, where every point on its surface is equidistant from the centre.
Common misconception
Pupils may forget the constant '4' when calculating the surface area.
Show the demonstration of the formula of the surface area using a different spherical fruit to see that it is always 4 regardless of the size of the sphere. You can also relate it to the 1/2 in the formula of the area of triangle.
To help you plan your year 11 maths lesson on: The surface area of a sphere, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 11 maths lesson on: The surface area of a sphere, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 maths lessons from the 2D and 3D shape: surface area and volume (pyramids, spheres and cones) unit, dive into the full secondary maths curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Licence
Starter quiz
6 Questions

A -
Pyramid
B -
Cylinder
C -
Cone
D -
Cuboid
Exit quiz
6 Questions




Radius of sphere = 6 cm -
144𝜋
Diameter of sphere = 8 cm -
64𝜋
Diameter of sphere = 0.5 cm -
0.25𝜋
Radius of sphere = 0.5 cm -
𝜋
Diameter of sphere = 4 cm -
16𝜋
Radius of sphere = 1 cm -
4𝜋

