Name:
Class:
Date:
Building Molecules – Molymod Lab
Today you will use models to represent atoms and molecules. There are certain “rules” that
must be followed for atoms to bond together to make molecules. Our goal is to be able to
draw simple molecules like water (H2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), oxygen (O2), and methane
(CH4).
A molecule represents several atoms joined (bonded) together to make one structure. A
molecular formula uses symbols and numbers to show the exact number of atoms, of each type
of element, present in one molecule of a compound. For example, C2H6O says that there are 2
carbon atoms, 6 hydrogen atoms, and 1 oxygen atom.
PROCEDURE
1. Make piles of each of the atoms and grey bars (bonds).
2. Make sure you have all atoms and bonds accounted for. You should have:
Atom
Hydrogen
Carbon
Oxygen
Chlorine
Nitrogen
Short Bond
Bendy Bond
Color
White
Black
Red
Green
Blue
Grey
Grey
Count
10
4
2
2
1
20
4
3. Fill out the table below about each model atom:
(You may need to use your periodic table)
Atom
Color
Holes
Hydrogen
White
Carbon
Black
Oxygen
Red
Chlorine
Green
Nitrogen
Blue
Valence Electrons
Analyze the table. Do you see a pattern? Why does each molecule have a certain amount of
holes?
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Class:
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Now we’re going to start to make molecules! Be careful! A molecule is only formed
when all the holes are used (bonded), there can be no gaps! That’s the tricky part.
4. Make the following element molecules: Hydrogen - H2
Oxygen - O2
Check with Mr. Faber to see that you have made them correctly.
Draw them here:
Hydrogen
Oxygen
What makes these elements and not compounds?
5. Now try to make these compound molecules:
Use the short (not bendy) bonds until told to do differently.
Hydrogen Chloride – HCl
Water – H2O
Ammonia – NH3
Check with Mr. Faber to see that you have made them correctly.
Draw them here:
HCl
Water
Ammonia
6. Let’s try some harder molecules called hydrocarbons. In these molecules, the carbon
molecules make long chains.
Methane – CH4
Ethane – C2H6
Propane – C3H8
Check with Mr. Faber to see that you have made them correctly.
Draw them here:
Methane
Ethane
Why do you think these molecules are called hydrocarbons?
Propane
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Class:
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7. Now we’ll make molecules called alcohols. There are lots of different kinds of alcohol
molecules, but they’re all a little different. These are tough!
(hint: Follow the molecular formula to make each “part” and then connect them)
Methanol – CH3OH
Ethanol – C2H5OH
Check with Mr. Faber to see that you have made them correctly.
Draw them here:
Methanol
Ethanol
What do you think all alcohol molecules have in common?
8. Now things get really challenging, now it’s time to use the bendy bonds. Bendy bonds
allow us to make molecules using double bonds. Double bonds form when two atoms
share two electrons with each other.
Try to make carbon dioxide (CO2) with double bonds
Check with Mr. Faber to see that you have made them correctly.
Draw it here:
(Note – To draw double bonds, draw two lines connecting the atoms, symbolizing the
two electrons)
Carbon Dioxide
9. SUPER CHALLENGE
I’d be surprised if you can make these molecules. There’s a double bond hidden
somewhere in the molecule. Again, follow the chemical formula, build the “parts” and
then try to put the parts together.
Vinegar – CH3COOH
Ethene – C2H4
Chloroethelene – C2H3Cl
Check with Mr. Faber to see that you have made them correctly.
Draw it here: