Question

Create a model of carbon dioxide (CO2).

a) Use the periodic table to help you determine the relative sizes of the atoms in carbon dioxide.
b) Determine which size of foam ball will represent carbon, and which will represent oxygen.
c) Select one color for carbon and a second color for oxygen. Color or paint the foam balls according to your chosen color scheme. Be sure to include a key of your chosen color scheme with your model.
d) Use the colored foam balls and toothpicks or skewers to build a model of a molecule of carbon dioxide.
e) Use the periodic table to help you determine the number of bonds each atom will form.

Answer 1

A CO2 molecule consists of a carbon atom connected to two oxygen atoms with double bonds. Use black for carbon and red for oxygen to build a linear model with these items representing the atoms and sticks symbolizing the covalent bonds.

Step-by-step explanation:

To create a model of carbon dioxide (CO2), you will need two colors of foam balls or similar materials to represent the atoms of carbon and oxygen. Carbon typically forms four bonds, and each oxygen forms two bonds. This is determined by looking at the periodic table, which shows that carbon has four valence electrons and oxygen has six. For CO2, the carbon atom will form two double bonds with two oxygen atoms.

Choose a color for carbon, for example, black, and another for oxygen, such as red. You should have one black foam ball for carbon and two red foam balls for oxygen. Use sticks or toothpicks to connect the oxygen balls to the carbon ball on opposite sides, demonstrating the double bonds. Your key should have the black ball labeled 'Carbon' and the red balls labeled 'Oxygen'.

Remember that this is a linear molecule, so your oxygen atoms should be on opposite ends of the central carbon atom. By following this model, you can visually represent the electron sharing in covalent bonding present in the CO2 molecule.