Modeling Molecules
Hailie Armstrong
Ms. Gorges
U4 L8 Chemistry
11/19/14
Modeling Molecules
Introduction:
You can represent a molecule two-dimensionally, as a structural formula or electron dot structure. Although such models are useful in certain contexts, they do not accurately represent bond angles between atoms or shapes of molecules. In this activity, you will construct three-dimensional models of several molecules. You will use electron dot structures and structural formulas to inform how you construct the three-dimensional models.
Materials:
Google
Microsoft Word
Paint (the computer tool)
Procedure:
1. Identify the chemical and structural formulas and electron dot structures of the following molecules:
water, ammonia, carbon dioxide, fluorine, methane, ethane
2. Write the formulas and draw the two-dimensional structures in the table.
3. Chose one color candy to represent each atom of an element (e.g., red jelly bean = hydrogen). Create a key that identifies each element.
4. Use the candy, toothpicks, and/or twist ties to construct a three- dimensional model of each of the aforementioned molecules.
5. Draw, as accurately as possible, each model in the table.
6. Answer the questions.
Molecule name
Chemical formula
Electron dot structure
Structural formula
Drawing of model
WATER
AMMONIA
CARBON DIOXIDE
FLUORINE
METHANE
ETHANE
Key:
Oxygen = Pink
Hydrogen = Turquoise
Nitrogen = Purple
Carbon = Green
Fluorine = Orange
Electrons/lines = Black
Questions:
1. Compare the information provided by a molecules chemical formula to the information provided by its structural formula.
The chemical formula tells us what elements make up a particular molecule. In addition, the subscripts in the chemical formula tell us how many atoms of each element are used to make up the molecule. For example, to make a molecule of water, we need the elements hydrogen and oxygen. The subscript tells us that we need
Ms. Gorges
U4 L8 Chemistry
11/19/14
Modeling Molecules
Introduction:
You can represent a molecule two-dimensionally, as a structural formula or electron dot structure. Although such models are useful in certain contexts, they do not accurately represent bond angles between atoms or shapes of molecules. In this activity, you will construct three-dimensional models of several molecules. You will use electron dot structures and structural formulas to inform how you construct the three-dimensional models.
Materials:
Microsoft Word
Paint (the computer tool)
Procedure:
1. Identify the chemical and structural formulas and electron dot structures of the following molecules:
water, ammonia, carbon dioxide, fluorine, methane, ethane
2. Write the formulas and draw the two-dimensional structures in the table.
3. Chose one color candy to represent each atom of an element (e.g., red jelly bean = hydrogen). Create a key that identifies each element.
4. Use the candy, toothpicks, and/or twist ties to construct a three- dimensional model of each of the aforementioned molecules.
5. Draw, as accurately as possible, each model in the table.
6. Answer the questions.
Molecule name
Chemical formula
Electron dot structure
Structural formula
Drawing of model
WATER
AMMONIA
CARBON DIOXIDE
FLUORINE
METHANE
ETHANE
Key:
Oxygen = Pink
Hydrogen = Turquoise
Nitrogen = Purple
Carbon = Green
Fluorine = Orange
Electrons/lines = Black
Questions:
1. Compare the information provided by a molecules chemical formula to the information provided by its structural formula.
The chemical formula tells us what elements make up a particular molecule. In addition, the subscripts in the chemical formula tell us how many atoms of each element are used to make up the molecule. For example, to make a molecule of water, we need the elements hydrogen and oxygen. The subscript tells us that we need