Submitted by Adam Bridgeman / The University of Sydney on Tue, 07/07/2009 - 03:51
My Notes
Description

http://firstyear.chem.usyd.edu.au/calculators/mo_diagrams.shtml

Flash based tools to help with the construction of MO diagrams:

  • "energy levels" shows how the form of the bonding and antibonding orbitals, the bond order and atomic charges vary in a diatomic molecule with the electronegativity of the two atoms involved
  • "Molecular orbital diagram maker" shows how a complex MO diagram can be made by a drag and drop approach using symmetry adapted components

 

Learning Goals

Using these tools, a student should be able to:

  • explain how the bonding between two atoms varies with their electronegativity in terms of the bond order between them and their charges
  • construct MO diagrams for typical inorganic molecules and complexes
Implementation Notes

The 'energy levels' tool is useful in lectures as it shows the relationship between the molecular orbital diagram and the bond character of a polar covalent bond and combines a graphical and a numerical approach.

The 'MO diagram maker' is useful as for students for practice and as a self-test of their understanding.

 

Time Required
"energy levels" takes 5-10 minutes. "MO diagram maker is designed to take as long as the student requires.
Evaluation
Evaluation Methods

Through in-class discussion and through performance in tutorials.

Creative Commons License
CC0
Sibrina Collins / College of Arts and Sciences at Lawrence Technological University

This is good. Students often get the Lewis structures and VSEPR because they are "visual." MO is such a challenge for students. I think this could be helpful.

Sibrina Collins, PhD College of Wooster

Mon, 08/16/2010 - 17:42 Permalink
Joanne Stewart / Hope College
These are great! I couldn't get the orbital pictures to "stick" for a couple of them (methane and BH3, for example). I moved the orbital picture carefully into place, and it would just bounce back. Not sure if that might be because I'm on a Mac?
Thu, 11/04/2010 - 21:53 Permalink