Name________________________
Date_________________
Bonding Lab
Period________________
What is one thing that
atoms in molecules do not
have to teach their
children?
How to share with
others…….
Purpose:
To demonstrate how to make three dimensional models of covalent bonds using gumdrops
to represent atoms and toothpicks to represent bonds
Background:
A covalent bond forms when atoms share one or more pairs of electrons. When two
nonmetals bond, these atoms share their electrons with each other instead of transferring
them. Substances containing covalent bonds consist of individual particles called molecules.
A molecule usually consists of two or more atoms joined in a definite ratio. One way to
represent atoms and molecules is to use electron dot diagrams.
In this lab you will have to use electron dot diagrams to assist you in constructing threedimensional models of the following covalent compounds or diatomic molecules.
Hypothesis:
Can you determine how many bonds will form as a result of an electron dot diagram?
Explain. (5 points)
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
Materials:
Colored pencils- red, yellow, orange, green, purple, brown
Gum Drops- 1 red, 2 yellow, 2 white, 2 orange, 3 green, 4 purple
Toothpicks
Procedure:
1. For each covalent compound or diatomic molecule draw its correct electron dot
diagram using a pencil.
2. Then, use the gum drops and toothpicks to construct a three-dimensional model.
3. Draw what each of these three-dimensional models of covalent compounds or
diatomic molecules looks like using colored pencils.

Carbon: Red

Oxygen: Yellow

Hydrogen: Green

Fluorine: Purple

Nitrogen: Orange

Chlorine: White

Use BROWN to represent the toothpicks.

For the white gum drops, simply just draw a circle with your pencil to outline the
white gum drop.
Each Dot Diagram and Each 3D Model is 4 points each
Covalent compound or
Diatomic Molecule
H2
Cl2
O2
H2O
Electron Dot Diagram
3 D Model
NH3
CF4
CO2
N2
Conclusion questions:
1. Were you able to determine how many bonds could form as a result of an electron
dot diagram? (Was your hypothesis correct?) (2 points)
2. Which examples were covalent compounds and which were diatomic molecules? How
were you able to decipher that? (3 points)
3. Why were the gumdrops different colors? What did the toothpicks represent?
(2 points)
4. Which examples contained single bonds, double bonds or triple bonds?
(5 points)Single Bond Example (s):
(2 points) Double Bond Example (s):
(1 point) Triple Bond Example (s):
5. Do you think water (H2O) or carbon dioxide (CO2) has stronger bonds and why?
(2 points)
6. Using your knowledge of valence electrons, explain the main reason so many
different molecules are made from carbon atoms? (4 points)
2 points EXTRA CREDIT: We did not represent any metallic bonds in this lab. Why
would it be difficult to draw an electron dot diagram for metallic bonds? What
makes metallic bonds so unique?
4 points EXTRA CREDIT: Table Salt, NaCl, is an example of an ionic bond. Draw an
electron dot diagram for this (be sure to use two colors to show each atom). Would
it be easy to make a 3D model of this compound?