Hatrack River Forum: For the science geeks

This is topic For the science geeks in forum Books, Films, Food and Culture at Hatrack River Forum.

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Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :

I'm in the process of writing a couple science tests. Rather than scan in images from the book (which would involve using the scanner downstairs, and be a big headache), I usually look for equivalent images online. So I was looking for stick-diagrams of molecules . . . and found this.

It's that CUTE? Very clever, too! [Big Grin]

Posted by Stan the man (Member # 6249) on :

I might've paid more attention to science class if the molecules were shaped like coffee cups. [Smile]

Posted by Alcon (Member # 6645) on :

LOL!! I love it [Smile]

A caffine molecule shaped like a coffee cup [Big Grin]

Posted by Bob the Lawyer (Member # 3278) on :

Gah! They have a pentavalent carbon in there! Right smack in the middle of the picture. Nix the pi bond.

Something this clever deserves to actually be right.

Edit: brain fart.

[ November 23, 2004, 01:32 AM: Message edited by: Bob the Lawyer ]

Posted by JonnyNotSoBravo (Member # 5715) on :

The methyl group coming off the mug handle bothers me...my cup doesn't have a big jagged thing coming off it! But it IS cute...

PS The real formula and structure for caffeine, without the 5 bonded carbon thingy BTL complained about.

[ November 23, 2004, 01:41 AM: Message edited by: JonnyNotSoBravo ]

Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :

quote:
Gah! They have a pentavalent carbon in there!

*disappointed* You're right, they DO.

quote:
Something this clever deserves to actually be right.

Yeah. *bummed*

Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :

JonnyNSB!! Where have you been?? I've MISSED you!

[ November 23, 2004, 02:11 AM: Message edited by: Narnia ]

Posted by aspectre (Member # 2222) on :

Yeah, but the caffeine formula is represented as a planar molecule.
Anybody know what the 3dimensional molecule looks like?
Do the two CH3s actually bend toward each other as in the coffee cup drawing?

[ November 23, 2004, 02:32 AM: Message edited by: aspectre ]

Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :

It is close to planar. The coffee-cup pic clearly was bending the molecule. But pentavalent carbon is a whole different ball'a'wax.

Posted by dabbler (Member # 6443) on :

but there's a faint line instead of a bond line where I think you think the 5-line carbon is...?

Posted by aspectre (Member # 2222) on :

Talking about the double bond between N(itrogen) and CH3(methyl) from the bottom center to middle center of the cup potion of the mug.
The three H(ydrogen) bonds with the C(arbon) plus the C(arbon) double bond with N(itrogen) makes five bonds, ie pentavalent carbon.

So how come nobody is bothered by the (four bonds) tetravalent nitrogen?

[ November 23, 2004, 03:38 AM: Message edited by: aspectre ]

Posted by kaioshin00 (Member # 3740) on :

*echos thread title*

Posted by aspectre (Member # 2222) on :

A geek woulda mentioned a nitromethane kick for morning dragsters.
And then wondered why s/he was gettin' strange looks from those overhearing the comment.

[ November 23, 2004, 04:49 AM: Message edited by: aspectre ]

Posted by Bob the Lawyer (Member # 3278) on :

I'm willing to grant them artistic licence as far as bending bonds and distorting bond lengths goes. Who really needs stearics anyway? But there's a line, and that line lies with pentavalent carbons!

Ammonia (NH3) <---> Ammonium (NH4)

The body takes ruthless advantage of the fact that nitrogen is pretty stable when it has to hold a positive charge. It's the electron sink of choice, baby!

I kinda gave you a weird look when you brought up nitromethane, but that's because I was thinking about toxicities. Which I guess means I'm too geeky for that joke. Ba BAM!