Why does food coloring penetrate a smaller potato cube faster than it penetrates a larger potato cube? a. the distance the food coloring has to travel to get to the center of the smaller cube is shorter. b. the larger cube has more surface area, which creates a barrier and prevents the food coloring from soaking in. c. the larger cube has more volume, so the food coloring takes more time to soak in. d. the smaller cube has more surface area compared to volume, so there are more places for the food coloring to soak in.

Option D, he smaller cube has more surface area compared to volume, so there are more places for the food coloring to soak in

Explanation:

The surface area is the major key factor that effects absorption of any substance by  other substance.

Here, the surface area to volume ratio of a smaller cube is higher as compared to that of a large area.

Thus, the coloring particles find more area to absorb for a smaller cube than a larger cube and hence food coloring penetrate a smaller potato cube faster than it penetrates a larger potato cube

Thus, option D is correct