Question

student exploration: molecule builder
vocabulary: chemical bond, chemical formula, covalent bond, double covalent bond, cyclic molecule, hydrocarbon, ionic bond, isomers, lewis structure, molecule, organic compound
prior knowledge questions (do these before using the gizmo.)
look at the water molecule shown below. in the molecule, chemical bonds are shown as lines between the atoms.

1. the red atom in the middle is oxygen. how many bonds does the oxygen atom have?
2. the two white atoms are hydrogens. how many bonds does one hydrogen atom have?
3. the chemical formula of water is h₂o. in this formula, what do you think the \2\ between the h and o refers to?

gizmo warm - up
in the molecule builder gizmo, drag an oxygen atom into the white simulation area. the short blue lines extending from the atom represent possible chemical bonds.

1. how many bonds can oxygen form?
2. drag a hydrogen atom into the area. how many bonds can hydrogen form?
3. drag the hydrogen atom on top of the oxygen atom. what happens?

the black line represents a chemical bond between the hydrogen and oxygen atoms.

1. bond another hydrogen atom to the other side of the oxygen atom. now, enter the formula \h2o\ into the type the formula below box. congratulations! you have created a water molecule. select show 3d structure to see what the molecule looks like in 3d.

Explanation:

Prior Knowledge Questions

Question 1

• Step1: Count bonds for oxygen

In the water molecule image, count the lines (bonds) attached to the oxygen atom. There are 2 lines.

Question 2

• Step1: Count bonds for hydrogen

In the water molecule image, count the lines (bonds) attached to each hydrogen atom. Each hydrogen has 1 line.

Question 3

• Step1: Interpret chemical formula sub - script

In the formula \(H_2O\), the sub - script indicates the number of atoms. Here, it means there are 2 hydrogen atoms.

Gizmo Warm - up

Question 1

• Step1: Observe oxygen's bonding capacity

In the Gizmo, when dragging an oxygen atom, the short blue lines (possible bonds) are 2.

Question 2

• Step1: Observe hydrogen's bonding capacity

When dragging a hydrogen atom, the short blue line (possible bond) is 1.

Question 3

• Step1: Describe bond formation

When dragging a hydrogen atom on top of the oxygen atom, a chemical bond (black line) forms between them.

Answer:

1. 2
2. 1
3. It refers to the number of hydrogen atoms (2 hydrogen atoms).
4. 2
5. 1
6. A chemical bond forms between the hydrogen and oxygen atoms.