From: Katie Johnson (johnson5@madison.k12.wi.us)
Date: Mon Jan 27 2003 - 13:38:01 EST
Regarding visualizing orbitals
I went to the local craft store and found some styrofoam balls that were
"egg" shaped. One student (as a special project) made a model with a large
round styrofoam ball (2s) and 6 of the egg shaped balls (2p) stuck on at
appropriate x,y,z axes. We then (using a hot knife) cut out a section of
the large round ball following a line around the "equator" of the ball 1/4
of the way around and then from each end point up to the top of the ball.
We took a smaller round styrofoam ball (1s) and cut its shape to match the
hole and glued it in. We tried to duplicate the composite orbitals graphic
from Addison Wesley's HS Chemistry Book. (4th ed. = page 248, 5th ed = page
365)
Now as I talk about the orbitals I hold up a small ball for the 1s and my
model (with the cut out section facing away from the class) and we talk
about the 2s and 2p. Then I rotate the model to show the 1s is inside. It
seems to help.
Katherine Johnson
Chemistry Teacher
Madison East High School
Madison, Wisconsin
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