Burayag,Lester

Eranista, John J.
Ruzzel E. CHEM 1100 LAB

BSABE 1-3 Nov. 25, 3024

LAB ACTIVITY 6: Different Molecular shapes of Crystal Lattices using ball-and-stick

model

I. INTRODUCTION

Crystal lattices are the patterns in which atoms or molecules are neatly arranged
to form solids. These patterns are important because they affect the properties of the
material, like how hard or soft it is, how well it conducts electricity, or even how it
reacts to heat and pressure. Understanding these arrangements helps us learn why
materials behave the way they do and how they can be used in everyday life.

In this lab activity, we will use a ball-and-stick model to build and study
different shapes of crystal lattices. The balls represent the atoms or molecules, and the
sticks show the bonds that connect them. This model is a simple but powerful tool to
help us visualize and understand the structures that are too small to see with our eyes.

By constructing and analyzing these models, we can explore how the shapes of
crystal lattices are formed, how their arrangement impacts their properties, and why
these structures are essential in materials used in science, technology, and even daily
life. This hands-on activity will make it easier to connect what we learn in theory to
real-world applications.

II. OBJECTIVES
• To construct different molecular shapes of crystal lattices using the ball-and-
stick model and understand their geometric arrangements.
• To identify and analyze how the arrangement of atoms or molecules in crystal
lattices influences the properties of materials.
 • To develop a deeper understanding of the role crystal structures play in the
composition and behaviour of various materials in real-life applications.

III. MATERIALS
• Clay
• Stick

IV. PROCEDURE

1. Prepare the molded clay balls (representing atoms or molecules) and sticks (for the
bonds).
2. Look at the guide or instructions to understand the different crystal lattice shapes, like
cubes or hexagons.
3. Check the shapes you made, focusing on how the clay balls are arranged and connected.
Write down what you observe.
4. Compare the different lattice shapes, noting similarities and differences, and think about
how these shapes might affect the properties of materials.

V. OBSERVATION

Shape Structure Observation

Isometric (cubic) All sides are equal in length, and all The shape is very symmetrical
angles are 90 degrees. and looks like a cube. This
arrangement makes it very stable
and uniform.

Tetragonal Two sides are equal in length, but The structure looks stretched or
the third side is longer or shorter. compressed compared to the
All angles are 90 degrees. cubic shape. It maintains
symmetry in two dimensions but
is elongated in one.
 Orthorhombic All sides are different lengths, but The shape looks like a stretched
all angles are 90 degrees. rectangular box. It is less
symmetrical than cubic or
tetragonal structures.

Hexagonal Two sides are equal, and the third The structure forms a six-sided
side is different. It has angles of shape, giving it a unique and
120 degrees between two axes, and more complex appearance
the third axis is 90 degrees to them. compared to rectangular lattices.

Triclinic All sides are different lengths, and The shape looks irregular and
none of the angles are 90 degrees. asymmetrical. It appears
distorted compared to other
lattices.

Monoclinic All sides are different lengths, with The structure looks like a slanted
two angles at 90 degrees and one box, with a mix of symmetry and
angle greater than 90 degrees. irregularity.

Rhombohedral All sides are equal in length, but The structure resembles a tilted
none of the angles are 90 degrees. cube, with symmetrical sides but
skewed angles giving it a slanted
look.

Sizes and Angles

Isometric

Length: X, Y, and Z are equal to 7 cm

Angle: All angles of axes are equal to 90 degrees.

Tetragonal

Length: X = 4 cm, Y = 7 cm, Z = 4 cm

Angle: All angles of axes are equal to 90 degrees.

Orthorhombic

Length: X = 3.9 cm, Y = 4.3 cm, Z = 2.15 cm

Angle: All angles of axes are equal to 90 degrees.

Hexagonal

Length: W = 5 cm, X = 5 cm, Y = 10 cm, Z = 5 cm

Angle: The angles between W, X, and Z (in the base plane) are 120°. The angle between Y (the
height) and the base plane (formed by W, X, and Z) is 90°.

Triclinic

Length: X = 2.15 cm, Y = 3.7 cm, Z = 4.3 cm

Angle: All angles of axes are not equal to 90 degrees.

Monoclinic

Length: X = 5 cm, Y = 10 cm, Z = 5 cm

Angle: The angles between the X-Y and Y-Z planes are 90°. The angle between the X-Z plane
is not 9

Rhombohedral

Length: X = 10 cm, Y = 10 cm, Z = 10 cm

Angle: The angles between all pairs of axes are the same but not 90°.

VI. CONCLUSION

In this activity, we built and looked at different crystal lattice shapes using clay balls
and sticks. Each lattice had a unique pattern—some were very symmetrical, like the
Isometric shape, while others were more irregular, like the Triclinic shape. These
differences in how the atoms or molecules are arranged can affect the material’s strength,
stability, and other properties. By exploring these shapes, we learned how the arrangement
of atoms plays a big role in how materials behave in real life.

VII. REFERENCES
Libretexts. “7.1: Crystal Structure.” Chemistry LibreTexts, August 28, 2022.
https://chem.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Analytical_Chemistry/Physical_Methods_in_Che
mistry_and_Nano_Science_(Barron)/07%3A_Molecular_and_Solid_State_Structure/7.01
%3A_Crystal_Structure.

Admin. “Crystal Structure – Definition, 7 Types of Crystal Structure With Videos.” BYJUS,
July 19, 2022. https://byjus.com/chemistry/crystal-structure/.