Chapter 21.1, Problem 3SSC

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The highlights about a molecule by four molecular models needs to be identified.

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.

For example: ${\text{CH}}_{\text{4}}$ is molecular formula of methane that represents it contains one carbon atom and 4 hydrogen atoms in the molecule.

• Structural formula: It consists of symbols of the elements and lines for the chemical bonds.

For example: The structural formula of methane is:

• 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.

For example: The ball-and-stick model of methane is:

The black sphere represents carbon atom and grey balls represents hydrogen atoms.

• Space-filling model: The relative space that each atom exerts it self in is represented by space-filling model.

For example: The space-filling model of methane is: