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Date_______________
Modeling Molecules
Key Words: Chemical Bond
Getting Started:
1. In this activity you will continue to explore the organization of atoms and molecules and view
models that show chemical bonds, molecules, and compounds.
2. Recall that an atom is the smallest building block of matter, and an element is composed of only one
type of atom.
3. Read the introduction and Challenge to Activity 17, “Modeling Molecules,” in your Student Book.
Procedure:
1. Read the Procedure in your Student Book.
2. Watch the LABsent video (found here: https://vimeo.com/152313747). The first video shows
Procedure Step 1 being performed.
3. Now that you have seen a molecule model being built, look at the data table on the next page. Notice
the name of the molecule that has been filled in – “water.” The chemical formula is H2O,
representing that there are two hydrogen (H) atoms and one oxygen (O) atom as part of the
molecule. Lastly, a drawing of the molecule has been created.
4. Follow this same procedure, and using the photos of the atoms below, complete Procedure Steps 5
through 15 in your Student Book. You will not be able to actually build the molecules; rather you
will have to use the photos to figure out the molecules that can be created and the corresponding
chemical formulas and drawings. Be sure to record the correct data in the table.
© 2014 The Regents of the University of California
IAPS Chemistry of Materials: Activity 17
Absent Work
Name _____________________________________________
Molecule Name
Date_______________
Chemical Formula
Drawing
H
Water
H
H2O
O
CO2
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2. Choose one of the atoms and describe what the model shows about its chemical properties and its
bonding to hydrogen.
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IAPS Chemistry of Materials: Activity 17
Absent Work
© 2014 The Regents of the University of California
Follow-Up:
1. What information do the models show about atoms, elements, and molecules?
Name _____________________________________________
Date_______________
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3. Look at Student Sheet 16.1, “Periodic Table of Elements,” from Activity 16. Find the four elements
used in this activity on the Periodic Table and note where they are located. Given that nitrogen
forms three bonds with hydrogen to make NH3, how many hydrogen atoms do you think will bond
with an atom of phosphorous?
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Analysis Questions:
1. How many different elements were you working with?
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2. What was the role of the “sticks” on each atom model?
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3. Was it possible for an atom to make more than one bond? Explain, and give an example.
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4. How many bonds could each of the following make with hydrogen? Use the atomic numbers to help
you find the elements on the periodic table.
IAPS Chemistry of Materials: Activity 17
Absent Work
© 2014 The Regents of the University of California
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Name _____________________________________________
Date_______________
Bonds with Hydrogen
Element
Atomic Number
Si
Se
I
As
14
34
53
33
Number of Bonds with
Hydrogen
5. If you had two oxygen atoms and one hydrogen atom, could you form a molecule? Explain.
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6. Make a drawing to show the difference between an atom and a molecule.
7. Which model provides more information – a chemical formula or a sketch of the molecule?
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IAPS Chemistry of Materials: Activity 17
Absent Work
© 2014 The Regents of the University of California
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