Limitations of bonding diagrams

• What should you be able to describe by the end of the video on molecular representations?

  The limitations of using different diagrams to represent a molecule or a giant ionic structure
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of using a dot and cross diagram?

  Advantages:

  • Clearly shows where electrons are coming from

  
  

  Disadvantages:

  • Does not indicate the shape of the molecule
• What is a limitation of two-dimensional stick diagrams?

  They do not indicate which electron in the covalent bond came from which atom
• What do two-dimensional stick diagrams fail to show about outer electrons?

  They do not show outer electrons that are not in bonds
• What is the benefit of using a three-dimensional stick diagram?

  It shows the shape of the molecule
• What is the name of the diagram used to represent the giant ionic lattice of sodium chloride?

  Ball and stick diagram
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of ball and stick diagrams?

  Advantages:

  • Clearly shows the ions in three dimensions

  
  

  Disadvantages:

  • Ions are shown as widely spaced, not accurately packed
• What do space-filling diagrams provide a better idea of compared to ball and stick diagrams?

  How closely packed the ions are
• What is a limitation of space-filling diagrams?

  They can be difficult to see the three-dimensional packing