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Most models are always scaled-down versions of larger structures. They are structurally and aesthetically very similar to the objects that they represent, just smaller. Most commonly, they have been scaled down by factors of between 10 and 1000.
Molecular models are not like these models, though, and it is too easy to be fooled into thinking that they are, and the differences are greater than the similarities.
The first difference is that we are not scaling down, we are scaling up - and by huge factors: typically by the order of 10^10 (1 with ten zeros after it, ten trillion).
The direction and magnitude of the scaling, while curious, isn't a major difference - while relatively uncommon, there are models of microscopic objects such as spores or cells. The important distinction is that we're not creating enlarged replicas of the subject matter, because the atoms that we are modelling doesn't exist in a solid form as things do in the macroscopic world. We are attempting to produce physical models of concepts that are the result of mathematical descriptions (take a moment to get your head around that). Those mathematical models have assumptions & approximations imposed on them, such as larger atoms having hydrogen-like orbitals. We are creating physical models of a scientific model of a mathematical approximation. These aren’t models in the engineering sense; these are now illustrations of descriptions of reality. Seriously - what they represent doesn't exist in the way that they appear in molecular models.
Molecular models and crystal structure models cannot be replicas of the microscopic structures that they represent. Unlike engineering models, the qualitative difference between the quantum world and the macroscopic world is unbridgeable: we cannot create a scaled replica of that particular reality - and if we could, it wouldn't really help much anyway.
Molecular models show some of the following aspects of molecules or crystal structures:
- relative positions of atoms in the molecule or crystal
- the connections between atoms in the molecule or crystal
- the effective shape and volume of a molecule
- the coordination polyhedra around atoms
- the position of lattice planes in crystal structures.
There are no models that can show all of these, so you have to choose just a few of these at most to show in your molecular model.
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How might a molecule have a very strong molecular dipole?
If the electronegativity is very different on one side than the other
What is the molecular weight of butter?
Butter is a mixture of different compounds and therefore does not have any characteristic molecular weight.
Why do scientists use different types of models to represent compounds?
Why do scientists use different types of models to represent compounds?
Is an ionic compound a molecular compound?
no, they are two different things. molecular compounds have a lower boiling and melting point relative to ionic.
What is the difference between pyruvic acid butyric acid and acetic acid?
One way that pyruvic acid, butyric acid, and acetic acid are different is that their molecular masses are all different. They all also have different molecular formulas.
Why are some models better than other models for certain situations?
They are different because some models are newer than the the other models...... an some have more vivid descriptions
What is the purpose of using molecular models?
The purpose of using molecular models is to be able to see the three dimensional and geometric shape of the molecule or compound being modeled.
How is ecology different from other areas of biology.?
they are a lot of different areas of Biology such as biochemistry, zoology, molecular biology.
What has the author Mohammed Rachidi written?
Mohammed Rachidi has written: 'Molecular mechanisms of mental retardation in Down syndrome' -- subject(s): Down syndrome, Genetic Models, Genetics, Methods, Models, Genetic, Molecular aspects, Molecular aspects of Down syndrome, Molecular biology
Two compounds that have the same molecular formula but different structural formulas are?
Two compounds that have the same molecular formula but different structural formulas are isomers of each other.
What is the molecular weight for insulin?
The human insulin protein is composed of 51 amino acids, and has a molecular mass of 5808 Da. Insulin for other species will be somewhat different.
Why do different genes have a different molecular clock rate according to the neutral theory of molecular evolution?
Different genes have different molecular clock rates due to the amount of Cytoplasmic Dyruduemion the genes contain. The more Cytoplasmic Dyruduemion the genes have, the slower the molecular clock rate, according to the neutral theory of molecular evolution.
What are molecules with the same molecular formula but different molecular shape?
Isomers
Is the molecular model of water the same molecular model as oxygen?
no. they are different
Why do metals corrode differently?
Because they have different molecular arrangements and some other metals are included in some of them.
What magazines offer reviews of different netbook models?
A variety of magazines offer reviews of different netbook models. Wired, PC Magazine, Consumer Reports and other widely distributed magazines offer reviews of netbook models.
Where can models of DNA be found?
You can find DNA models online at the Wikipedia website. DNA models are representations of the topography and molecular geometry of DNA. One could also find DNA models at museums or science labs.
