Organic Molecules

This resource allows you to explore some key aspects of organic chemistry in two linked activities. The first activity (Activity 12.2 in Book 4) is called Shapes of molecules. Chemistry often relies on three-dimensional models, and trying to understand two-dimensional representations of these models on the printed page is quite tricky. In the Shapes of molecules activity you will view images of ball and stick models that you can rotate for yourself, and this will help you to understand their three-dimensional nature.

Any organic compound will undergo a particular set of reactions, and these reactions can be predicted by looking at the structure of the molecule and identifying key groups of atoms, known as functional groups. In the second activity (Activity 14.1 in Book 4) we develop such a functional group approach to organic chemistry.

Estimated study time: Activity 12.2 should take you about one hour in total. Activity 14.1 should take you about 45 minutes to study.