Substances are made of atoms, which combine together (are “bonded”) to form molecules. Scientists have indirect methods of visualising atoms and molecules, but our eyes cannot see these atoms and molecules, so sometimes it is hard to understand how atoms combine to form molecules, or why particular combinations of atoms form particular molecules. Toys are familiar things. we can see and play with and understand toys, so it is really useful to use Lego and Magnetix to help explain how these atoms form particular molecules, or how they combine to form molecules with particular shapes. I’ve also used my son’s toy rabbit to show how the movement of atoms in molecules can result in rotation (somersaulting and spinning) or translation (the whole rabbit moves) or vibration (for example the ears flap up and down). When he was three or four he didn’t mind dad sharing his toys, but now I like using toys so much I want my own!
Substances are made of atoms, which combine together (are “bonded”) to form molecules. Scientists have indirect methods of visualising atoms and molecules, but our eyes cannot see these atoms and molecules, so sometimes it is hard to understand how atoms combine to form molecules, or why particular combinations of atoms form particular molecules. Toys are familiar things. we can see and play with and understand toys, so it is really useful to use Lego and Magnetix to help explain how these atoms form particular molecules, or how they combine to form molecules with particular shapes. I’ve also used my son’s toy rabbit to show how the movement of atoms in molecules can result in rotation (somersaulting and spinning) or translation (the whole rabbit moves) or vibration (for example the ears flap up and down). When he was three or four he didn’t mind dad sharing his toys, but now I like using toys so much I want my own!
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