How to Build a Model for a Chemistry Project on Polyvinyl Chloride

Building molecular models gives a greater understanding of the structure of the chemicals.

Building a model of the atomic structure of a chemical is a good way to learn about molecules. Before building any molecular model, do some research. Learn about the elements that make up the molecules. Investigate the number and types of bonds that hold the atoms together. Polyvinyl chloride, or PVC is made of carbon, hydrogen and chlorine. PVC is created when a chain of vinyl monomers are linked together to become a polymer.

Things You'll Need

• 16 Styrofoam balls, 2 inch
• Blue acrylic spray paint
• Newspaper
• 8 Styrofoam balls, 1 1/2 inch
• Red acrylic spray paint
• 24 Styrofoam balls, 1 inch
• 15 bamboo skewers

Instructions

1. Lay the 2 inch Styrofoam balls on an old sheet of newspaper. Spray the balls with the red paint. Lay the 1 1/2 inch balls out and spray paint them blue. Allow the Styrofoam to dry completely.

2. Break the bamboo skewers in half. Insert two bamboo skewer halves into a red, 2 inch ball. The bamboo skewers should be right next to each other, about 1/4 inch apart. Press a second red ball on the other end of the skewers. This represents the double covalent bond between the two carbon atoms.

3. Insert a single bamboo skewer half into the top of the left hand red ball. Add a blue Styrofoam ball to the top of the skewer. This illustrates the single bond of the carbon to the chlorine atom.

4. Insert another bamboo skewer half into the bottom of the left hand red ball. Add two more skewer halves to the top and bottom of the right hand red ball. Stick white Styrofoam balls on the ends of these three wooden skewers. This represents the single bonds between the carbon and hydrogen. There are three hydrogen atoms attached to the molecule. Two hydrogen atoms attach to one carbon atom and the last hydrogen atom attaches to the free space on the other carbon atom. This completes a vinyl chloride monomer.

5. Repeat Steps 2 through 4 to create several monomers.

6. Show how the monomers are linked to create a polymer. Polyvinyl Chloride is formed when a chain of monomers are linked with double covalent bonds. Your model shows this linkage by attaching the red balls that represent the carbon, from one monomer to another with two parallel bamboo skewer halves. In the end your model will look like a three tiered chain. The white Styrofoam balls representing hydrogen will be on the bottom and attach to the red balls above that represent carbon, with a single skewer. The red balls form a middle layer and they are all linked with two skewers. The top layer has alternating blue and white balls that represent hydrogen and chlorine atoms. They are also attached to the red balls below by single skewers.

Tips & Warnings

• Use glue on the tips of the bamboo skewers to make your model more sturdy.

• Use the spray paint in a well ventilated area.

References

• UCLA Chemistry Department: Molecular Model Building Instruction Manual
• Jefferson Lab: How Do I Make a Model of an Atom
• Chemistry Daily: Polyvinyl Chloride