Interpretation:
The advantages and disadvantages of four molecular models needs to be determined.
Concept introduction:
A scale model which represents the arrangement of atoms in the molecule is said to be molecular model.
Explanation of Solution
The four molecular models are:
- Molecular formula: It represents
chemical symbols of the elements in the molecule and the number of atoms of each element is represented by subscript.
Advantage:
The molecular formula helps in determining the exact number of atoms of every element present in the compound.
Disadvantage:
The structures are not indicated by molecular formula.
- Structural formula: It consists of symbols of the elements and lines for the
chemical bonds .
Advantage:
The identification of atoms and the structure of the compound is given by structural formula.
Disadvantage:
No indication is given about how a molecule is existed in space.
- Ball-and-stick model: It displays the three-dimensional position of the atoms and the chemical bonds present in a molecule. Differently colored spheres are used to represent atoms and are connected by rods that represents chemical bonds.
Advantage:
Ball-and-stick model conveys the structure of the molecule in space.
Disadvantage:
Helpful for small molecules only and the color-coded spheres that represents atom can be confusing.
- Space-filling model: The relative space that each atom exerts it self in is represented by space-filling model.
Advantage:
Space-filling model conveys how a molecule exists in space.
Disadvantage:
Helpful for small molecules only as the identification of atoms can be confusing if the molecule contains too many different atoms or if the molecule is too large.
Chapter 21 Solutions
Chemistry: Matter and Change
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