Structure and bonding

What is here?

The four models here are chosen because:

  • sodium chloride has a giant lattice structure with ionic bonding between oppositely charged ions
  • iodine exists as simple molecules with weak van der Waals’ forces between the molecules
  • graphite and diamond have a giant structure with covalent bonding.

Use your mouse (or finger on touch devices) to move or scale molecules. Double tap to stop and start each animation.

Options
atom labels
ball and stick model
space-filling model
perspective view

sodium chloride, NaCl

iodine, I2

graphite (carbon allotrope)

diamond (carbon allotrope)