| The
simplest organic compounds contain molecules composed of carbon and hydrogen.
The compound methane contains one carbon bonded to four hydrogens. Ethane is another
example of a simple hydrocarbon. Ethane contains two carbon atoms and four hydrogen
atoms. In chemistry we use a molecular formula to show how many atoms of each
element are present in a molecule. A molecular formula however does not show the
structure of the molecule. Scientists often use structural formulas to show the
number and arrangement of atoms in a compounds. Below the molecular formula for
methane and ethane are shown. Above the molecular formula are their respective
structural formula. 
Although structural formulas
can be very helpful they do not give a complete picture of a molecule. Structural
formulas do not tell us anything about the distances between bonds, the angles
formed by these bonds, or the size and shape of the molecule. Scientists use three
different representation to show what molecules look like. THE
WIRE FRAME MODEL 
This model clearly shows the type of atoms in the molecule, the distances between
bonds, and angles associated with the atoms. Because the lines drawn are very
thin, molecules can very easily be manipulated when viewed on a computer screen.
THE BALL-AND-STICK
MODEL 
Atoms are represented by balls and bonds are represented as sticks.
THE SPACE FILLED MODEL
This model shows the space that the molecule will take up. Because of all
the points required to draw this molecule on a computer screen you should expect
these molecules to be very difficult to manipulate.
Other
Carbon Compounds The
following structures will require you to download a molecular modeling viewer
to view the pdb files. We highly reccommend you take a look at "Viewing
Molecules at Home and School" and download a software package. For
a more complete list of carbon compounds see the MathMol
Library of Molecules. | 
