Uses: fundamental structure
Alternate Representations:
Definition of Polyhedral Representation:
The clear tetrahedron with pom pom inside represents the oxygen atom in the molecule.
The 2-prong connectors represent the hydrogen atoms.
1 tetrahedron
2 2-prong connectors
6 water molecule subassemblies to make one ring
Place a 2-prong connector into 2 of the holes in the vertices of the tetrahedron.
Form a ring of 6 water molecules with the tetrahedron vertices of three of the water molecules pointing up and with the tetrahedron vertices of three vertices pointing down in an alternating pattern.
Additional rings can be formed by joining more water molecules in an alternating pattern of tetrahedron vertices "up and down". These additional rings can be in the same plane as the first or above and below that first plane.
Click on movie and then use arrow keys for step-by-step replay.
Exploring the Nanoworld | MRSEC Nanostructured Interfaces
Copyright © 2008 The Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System.
This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under DMR Grant No. 0520527
Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.