Abstract:

In order to comprehend the chemical and physical properties of chemical substances, firstly it is needed to understand their three–dimensional structures (that is, their molecular geometries). However, research literature shows that prospective chemistry teachers have difficulties related to the subject. The reason might be that molecules are entities not directly perceived by the sense organs. Moreover, to imagine the three–dimensional structures and draw the three–dimensional structures on paper or board plane, other difficulties are. By making the models of very small structures like molecules, they can be transformed a visual shape. In this study, in order to made the models of all inorganic species (molecules, ions, complexes) whose central atoms have the types “sp, sp2, sp3, dsp3, d2sp3, dp3 and dsp2” of the hybridisation and many organic molecules (alkynes, allenes, alkenes, alkanes, cycloalkanes, pyranoses, furanoses, benzene) by using cheap and easily obtainable materials (carton paper, play–dough and pin with plastic–head), the methods are explained. In addition, in order to help students’ and teachers’ understanding of the basic geometric concepts, it is given place also the geometric shape models in the molecular models.

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