Fullerene Java Applet

What is the approximate diameter of a BuckyBall ?

Buckminsterfullerene, or the Buckyball, refer only to C60 (compounds containing 60 atoms of just carbon). They were compared in the previous carbon module to diamonds and graphite which are also carbon compounds. They are approximately spherical, hollow, arranged in interlocking hexagons and pentagons, akin to the geodesic dome created by architect Buckminster Fuller, hence the name. The structure also looks very much like a soccer ball. There are other fullerenes structures that are similar cage-like molecules with more or less carbon atoms, but still composed of pentagons and hexagons. The fullerene is a rather large size for a molecule. Using the following javamage software tool we can measure the distance across the molecule.

Note: If you loose the image simply cllick reload in your browser. If that does not work you may have to close the browser window and open it up again.

Drag mouse in screen to -xy rotation, start near top for z

How to measure the diameter of a buckyball.

You will have to use the measure tool to find the diameter of the fullerene molecule shown above however it is better to use the drawline pulldown first. Go to the tools pulldown. Click on drawlines. This will let you draw a line between any two consecutively clicked points. A green line will appear between the two points. The distance between the points will be shown at the lower left in Angstroms.You will probably have to draw several lines to ensure you have the maximum distance.

To convert your answer to meters use: 1 Angstrom = 10 ^-10 meters.

BUCKYBALLS OR FULLERENES USING MOLECULAR MODELING SOFTWARE WOULD MAKE FOR A COOL SCIENCE PROJECT. THEY ARE IN THE FOREFRONT NOW IN DRUG DELIVERY AND NANOTECHNOLOGY.

From Small Times, Big Times News

"Oct. 17, 2003 - Buckyballs, the soccer ball-shaped molecules that helped kick-start interest in nanoscale science and technology in the 1990s, finally made the big time. The biotech startup C Sixty announced Thursday that it is partnering with the pharmaceutical company Merck & Co. to develop drugs based on buckyballs, formally known as buckminsterfullerenes. " for full article click here.

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