The Fabulous Four
Background info:
Of the 92 natural elements, only four elements make up about 95% of living things. These
elements are carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen. If you can understand how these
fabulous four elements bond in order to get stable, then you can comprehend a great deal
about the chemistry of all living things.
Since these elements are all non-metals, they join together with covalent bonds to form
molecules. Covalent bonds are bonds in which electrons are shared between atoms.
Procedure:
1. Using the chemical formula provided, write the correct chemical name for the molecule.
2. Build the molecule using gummy bears and toothpicks. Gummy bears will represent the
atoms. The table below indicates the color gummy bear that represents each of the
fabulous four elements.
Element
Symbol
Gummy Bear Color
Carbon
Hydrogen
Oxygen
Nitrogen
C
H
O
N
Red
White/yellow
Orange
Green
3. Attach the gummy bears together using toothpicks. The toothpicks represent the
bonds!
Important note: Use regular toothpicks to represent a single covalent bond, and split
toothpicks to represent double and triple covalent bonds.
4. Once you have created the gummy bear molecule, sketch it using colored pencils
and the key below.
Gummy Bear Molecule Key
Single Covalent Bond
Double Covalent Bond
Triple Covalent Bond
Atom – color circle to
match the gummy bear
5. Then, you must draw a Lewis Structure for the molecule using element symbols, lines for
bonds, and dots for lone pairs of electrons as we practiced in our notes.
6. Answer the questions below the sketch and Lewis Structure.
Chemical Formula: O2
Common Name: Oxygen
Chemical Name: _________________________________________________________
Total number of ve- ______________
Gummy Bear Molecule Sketch
Lewis Structure
1. Molecules like O2, which have two of the same element bonded to one another have
a special name. What are molecules like O2 called? ______________________________
2. How many lone pairs of electrons does EACH oxygen have? ____________________
Chemical Formula: C2H2
Common Name: Acetylene
Chemical Name: _________________________________________________________
Total number of ve- ______________
Gummy Bear Molecule Sketch
Lewis Structure
1. How many electrons do hydrogen atoms need to feel complete? ________
How many electrons do nitrogen atoms need to feel complete? _________
Chemical Formula: NH3
Common Name: Ammonia
Chemical Name: _________________________________________________________
Total number of ve- ______________
Gummy Bear Molecule Sketch
Lewis Structure
2. How many electrons do hydrogen atoms need to feel complete? ________
3. How many electrons do nitrogen atoms need to feel complete? _________
Chemical Formula: CO2
Chemical Name: _________________________________________________________
Total number of ve- ______________
Gummy Bear Molecule Sketch
Lewis Structure
4. How many electrons do hydrogen atoms need to feel complete? ________
How many electrons do nitrogen atoms need to feel complete? _________
Chemical Formula: C3H8
Common Name: Propane
Chemical Name: _________________________________________________________
Total number of ve- ______________
Gummy Bear Molecule Sketch
Lewis Structure
5. How many electrons do hydrogen atoms need to feel complete? ________
6. How many electrons do nitrogen atoms need to feel complete? _________
Chemical Formula: C2H8
Common Name: Ethylene
Chemical Name: _________________________________________________________
Total number of ve- ______________
Gummy Bear Molecule Sketch
Lewis Structure
7. How many electrons do hydrogen atoms need to feel complete? ________
How many electrons do nitrogen atoms need to feel complete? _________
Chemical Formula: N2O
Common Name: Nitrous Oxide
Chemical Name: _________________________________________________________
Total number of ve- ______________
HINT: The 2 nitrogen atoms are bonded to one another in this compound. Oxygen is NOT in
the middle! 
Gummy Bear Molecule Sketch
Lewis Structure
8. How many electrons do hydrogen atoms need to feel complete? ________
How many electrons do nitrogen atoms need to feel complete? _________
carbon dioxide
1 carbon
2 oxygen
methane (natural gas)
1 carbon
4 hydrogen
nitrogen (as found in air)
2 nitrogen
methanol (wood alcohol)
1 carbon
4 hydrogen
1 oxygen
Guiding Questions:
1. Do all the molecules contain only single bonds? Why do you think this is the case?
2. Do all the molecules have the same shape? Why do you think this is the case?
3. Because carbon (black) is the only element that can form long chains by bonding to itself over and
over, it is the backbone element of all living things. What is unique about carbon that allows it form
these big chains?
4. Two of the molecules (methane and propane) that you made are used by people to as a fuel (for
energy). What do each of these molecules have in common?