Limitations in bonding

• Dot and cross diagram

  • Clearly shows where the electrons are coming from
  • Does not show the shape of the molecule
• 2D stick diagram


  • Cannot tell which electron in the bond came from which atom
  • Does not give accurate information on the shape of the molecule
• 3D stick diagram


  • Shows the shape of the molecule
• Ball and stick diagram


  • Clearly shows the ions in 3 dimensions
  • Ions are shown as widely spaced when in reality they are packed together
• Space-filling diagram


  • Gives a better idea of how closely packed the ions are
  • Can be difficult to see the 3D packing
• Ball and stick diagrams and space-filling diagrams only show a tiny part of the giant crystal lattice, giving a mistaken impression about the sizes of these structures