Diagrams

• What is a benefit of the space filling diagram?

  Gives an idea of how closely packed the ions are
• What is a limitation of the space filling diagram?

  Difficult to see the three dimensional packing
• What is the benefit of the dot and cross diagram?

  • Crosses to represent electrons from one atom
  • Dots to represent electrons from another atom
  • So, it is clear where the electrons are coming from
• What is a limitation of the dot and cross diagram?

  They do not specify the shape of the molecule
• What is the benefit of the ball and stick diagram?

  Can clearly see ions in 3 dimensions
• What is a limitation of the ball and stick diagram?

  • Ions are shown as widely spaced
  • When they are packed together in reality
• What is the limitation of both the space filling diagram and the ball and stick diagrams?

  • They only show a tiny part of the giant ionic structure
• What is the limitation of the 2-D stick diagram?

  • Covalent bond is shown as a stick
  • Cannot tell which electron in the bond came from what atom
  • Do not know about outer electrons that are not in bonds
  • Does not give accurate information on the shape of the molecule
• What is the benefit of the 3-D stick diagram?

  Shows the shape of the molecule