Creative Chemistry Molecular Models

Alkanes Department

What is here?

You can see models of four alkanes with the general formula C_nH_2n+2 (they are all hydrocarbons because they contain only hydrogen and carbon atoms joined by covalent bonds).
 

methane, CH₄
ethane, C₂H₆
propane, C₃H₈
octane, C₈H₁₈

The models are scaled to fit the available space, so the atoms will be different sizes in each molecule. Right click and try the zoom facility to get them to the same scale. When you have right-clicked, you will get a menu of other options to try, such as animations and changing to wire-frame models. You can also move the models using the left mouse button.

Molecular modelling applet courtesy of ChemAxon Ltd

(YOU CANNOT SEE A JAVA APPLET HERE)