Modelling Chemistry

Models are essential to teaching and research in chemistry. It is useful for students to see an accurate model of a molecule's shape when they are solving a problem. Also, models have been key elements in 20th century chemical discoveries, such as the structure of the DNA molecule. Many types of molecular models exist, each emphasising different information about the molecule.

Why make molecular models?

Models of molecules show the position of the different atoms, more or less to scale and usually with colour coding, and demonstrate how they are bonded together. Chemists don't think that models such as these show what molecules 'really look like'; models are useful tools for visualising the structures and shapes of groups of atoms, which is important in understanding their behaviour. You can feel the shape of the atom groups and investigate how the molecule can move or bend.

Models have been used to represent arrangements of atoms throughout the development of modern atomic theory. The Science Museum in London has wooden models of atoms used by John Dalton (1766-1844) in his lectures. However, it has been suggested that Kepler used models to depict atoms as early as 1611. All of the sets of models in the Whipple Museum date from the 20th century.