Before Class

Molecular Models

The first section of this course (Symmetry) requires you to carefully examine the three-dimensional shapes of molecules. You will quickly realize that for most people it is very difficult to almost impossible to work the more advanced problems without the use of a set of simple molecular models. If you do not already have such a set, I highly recommend you get one before class starts. It does not have to be a very expensive one. Amazon.com for example, has several that would work well. A very inexpensive alternative is to use children's modeling clay (Play-Doh) and toothpicks. You will be allowed to use these models in exams.

The website below is current as of March 2015:

Molecular Model Sets 

VESPR - Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion theory. This is a simple concept which enables us to predict and understand the 3-dimensional shapes of ions and molecules

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Some rudimentary organic chemistry

Next: Section 1 Symmetry

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