Paul Sutton

More molecular modelling

So following on from my Post on 23/7/2020 I decided to share some of the info graphics created by Compound Chemistry

These are useful for GCSE and A'level chemistry. Building the models could help enforce the learning provided. I would strongly suggest talking to your teacher for advice on this.

So first off, looking at how different organic molecules are named.

So you should be able to take some of the diagrams here and create some basic models. Don't forget to you can use the bendy straws for double bonds.

As isomerism is also covered in the curriculum (or was) this may also be useful.

There are lots of infographics on the website listed below.

• Compound Chemistry Twitter
• Discussion forum on Qoto Discourse

#chemistry,#organic,#compoundchemistry,#modeling,#clay,#education.

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Molecular weight calculator

I decided to write this to help calculate molar weights for chemistry.

In essence you can enter the Mass of an element or molecular mass of a substance, compound etc, and this will help give you molar weight, for example 0.5 mol.

It is, for example common to have different concentrations of an acid for example. We know that Sodium Hydroxide has a weight of 40 because of the combined weight of its components:

$NaOH$ which equates to

Na = 22 + O = 16 + H = 1 = 39

Therefore 1 mol of NaOH = 39g which is of course equal to Avogadros constant : $6.022 x 10^{23}$

Therefore 0.5 mol is roughly $39 \div 2 = 19.5g$

This program is NOT a substitute for proper calculation. You need to use more accurate values. Values used are just a rough guide.

However it may be useful, for those quick calculations.

The program code base is taken from my Drake equation calculator I made a few weeks ago.

#chemistry,#mol,#molar,#weight,#calculator

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Molecular modelling with clay part 3

Further to the post earlier I am having mixed results trying to make double bonds from bendy straws. This is really proving to be not the most ideal solution.

I am experimenting with using straight straws side by side to represent a double bond.

This sort of works, but still isn't ideal, perhaps I'll just stick to single bond molecules.

Doing modelling with clay is certainly not an ideal solution but, as stated it may simply help with some basic modelling if you can't get hold of the actual modelling kits.

Just don't try and be adventurous.

This is science, so it needs some more experimentation to find an ideal solution.

if anyone has those craft match sticks such as these:-

as sold by Factory Direct Craft.com

This may prove to be a better solution than straws. You can get shorter lengths which will probably be better.

Don't go and buy any, I would suggest to see if you can get a few to experiment with, after school or other child care clubs usually have craft materials, so I would suggest experimenting first.

#chemistry,#chemical,#modelling,#clay,#straws,#visualisation

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Molecular modelling with clay part 2

As discussed in my post yesterday. I am going to introduce how to build a few a basic molecules with the resources suggested.

Step 1

Firstly I have cut the Black and White modelling clay to size.

The sections on the RIGHT can be put away for later use. You can see I have more White clay for Hydrogen than Black which I am using for Carbon.

Step 2

Now cut the clay up, roll in to balls and assemble the straws (links) that are needed (in this case 4) It is a good idea to make sure you have all the bits you need to hand.

The Carbon is bigger as we need to attach the 4 Hydrogen to this.

So here, is our Methane model, partly assembled. I have left the last one off for illustration.

The final step is to attach the last Hydrogen to the Carbon creating Methane $CH_4$.

Hope this helps, it may not be perfect but it may help if you can't get hold of actual Molymod kits.

Hopefully what this will allow you to do is visualise basic chemical structures.

There is an addition to this post here

#chemistry,#chemical,#modelling,#clay,#straws,#visualisation

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Hubble – Eye in the Sky part 3

Part 3 of the NASA Mission Operations – Hubble Video Miniseries is released today.

• Eye in the Sky miniseries

The series so far, has been really interesting and each episode is roughly 10 minutes in length, so could make an ideal teaching resource too.

#nasa,#hubble,#space,#telescope,#miniseries,#documentary,#EyeintheSky

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Overleaf Webinar 23rd July 2020

Todays Overleaf webinar covers Working with Bibliographies on Overleaf

Date : Thursday 23rd July Thursday 23 July – 1:00pm ET/5:00pm UTC/10:00am PT

Sign up for free here

#Overleaf, #webinar, #files, #bibliography, #document, #references,#citations

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Molecular modelling with clay part 1

About a month ago, I started a discussion on the Qoto Discourse forum on molecular modelling.

As I am aware not everyone can afford the Molymod kits [1], I suggested that it should be possible to do something similar, at least on a basic level with plasticine. As I didn't have any at the time, I made a rough model using BluTack.

I have since managed to find some modelling clay from Poundland [3] so I present here, part 1 of 2 on a how_to do this.

Note: is was suggested that I make a video of this, I don't have the equipment for this, so will use photos instead, however hopefully once the South Devon Tech Jam [4] is back, perhaps I can get some help with making a video.

I would rather use photos than make a really bad video, and seek some expertise in creating a video.

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So as mentioned in the Discourse thread [2], which you are welcome to join and add to the discussion. What we are looking to do is build simple molecules.

This above shows some basic Alkanes made with a Molymod kit [1].

So firstly the clay I bought from Poundland is below

I have already cut some drinking straws to length

So in this case, the straight pieces are about 1” and the bendy pieces are about 1” either side of the bend.

And as mentioned before these can act as part of a double bond or straight bonds.

As also discussed the Colours will follow normal convention:

Colour	Atom
Black	Carbon
Red	Oxygen
White	Hydrogen
Blue	Nitrogen
Green	Halogen

This system using the clay isn't going to be perfect, but it is not meant to be. If we can build basic molecules, this is the important thing.

I will provide a follow up post tomorrow.

References

1 Molymod 2 Qoto Discourse 3 Poundland 4 South Devon Tech Jam 5 Molymod Colours

End notes

Hopefully this is useful and if it is, I am still looking for employment in a school, I feel that being able to think of solutions such as this, demonstrates important skills such as problem solving, and writing these blog posts also demonstrates communication skills.

You can find a link to my LinkedIn profile and other contact details on my contact page here.

#chemistry,#chemical,#modelling,#clay,#straws,#visualisation

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