Lab: Constructing Organic CompoundsModified Lab: For schools without molecular kits.

All elements are made of atoms. Compounds are formed when two or more elements combine to form a different type of matter. A chemical formula is a shortcut chemists take to describe a specific compound. It tells you the numbers and types of atoms that make up a single unit of a compound.

Objective: You will build models of different organic compounds using the molecular kits to determine what element they have in common and determine how many atoms of each element are in each molecule.

Procedure: After you construct each model, fill in the blanks in the Data and Observations table and draw each model as part of your data. Make sure to label and color.

Data and Observations:Chemical Formula Number of Atoms in Compound

Hydrogen (RED)

Nitrogen(Yellow)

Sulfur(BLUE)

Carbon(GREEN)

Oxygen(ORANGE)

Total

1. CH3CH2CH2COOH (fatty acid)

2. CO2 (carbon dioxide)

3. CH4 (methane)

4. C6H12O6 (glucose)

5. C3H7NO2S (amino acid)

Draw each model. Label and color each atom.

1. Fatty acid

2. carbon dioxide

3. methane

4. glucose

5. amino acid

Questions and Conclusions1. Based on your data and observations, what element do organic compounds have in common?

2. What are organic compounds? Do they other elements in common?

3. Give examples of other organic compounds.

4. All foods are organic. However, in grocery stores certain foods are labeled “organic” and others are not. Explain this.