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How to Create a Molecular Model

Molecular models are a colorful and creative way to illustrate how atoms bond together to form molecules. The models offer children a fun activity and serve as informative visual learning tools. Composed of little more than marshmallows and toothpicks, these visual aids can be freestanding models. You can also hang them from strings and connect them to other models to display examples of complex chemical compounds.

Things You'll Need

1 bag large, multicolored marshmallows
1 bag small, multicolored marshmallows
1 box toothpicks

Instructions

- 1
  Separate the marshmallows into different colored piles. Let each color stand in for a different atom. Mix and match the different-sized marshmallows to make the models easier to comprehend.
- 2
  Connect the ̶0;atoms̶1; with the toothpicks or the ̶0;chemical bonds̶1; in the molecular model. A sodium chloride (NaCl) molecule, for example, consists of one atom of sodium bonded to one atom of chlorine. As a sodium chloride molecule consists of only two atoms, using one small marshmallow and one large marshmallow will make the model easier to understand visually.
- 3
  Add marshmallows as desired to build upon the models. Molecules bond to one another to form chemical compounds, also known as minerals or elements. Molecules of sodium chloride, for example, bond together to form the chemical compound halite, also known as table salt.

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