MOLECULAR MODELS SCIENCE MODULE
PURPOSE
Teach students how atoms fit together to form molecules.
MATERIALS
• Large toothpicks
• Small multi colored gumdrops
SETUP
Research various small household chemicals (see list below).
METHOD
Students form models of various chemicals
DISCUSSION
Using a periodic table. Hook theory (simplified ionic bonding).
Every thing in the helium column has no “hooks” so they don’t hook to anything.
Everything in the fluorine column has one hook.
Everything in the oxygen column has two hooks.
Everything in the nitrogen column has three hooks.
Everything in the carbon column has four hooks.
The stuff in the middle of the chart is kind of mixed up.
Everything in the hydrogen column has one hook.
Everything in the beryllium column has two hooks.
When chemicals react (hook up) they can only hook up by the number of hooks they have.
• H2O water
• CO2
• CH4 methane
• NaCl table salt
• CaCl2
• H2 hydrogen gas
• O2
• NH3 ammonia
Assorted carbon chains
Hook the carbons up in a row
Add three hydrogens to each end carbon and two to each intermediary carbon (remember that carbon has four hooks).
1) methane - natural gas
2) ethane
3) propane - barbeque
4) butane - lighters
5) pentane
6) hexane
7) heptane
8) octane - gasoline
If you replace one of the end hydrogens with an oxygen and hydrogen you have an alcohol:
1) methanol – rubbing alcohol
2) ethanol – drinking alcohol
If you are ambitious you can make sugars, nitroglycerin models etc..
