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 | Building Molecules from Atoms | ||
| Issue | Naive Idea* | Scientific Idea |
| Properties | Molecules of a substance are like the substance itself. ** | The properties of a substance are due to its molecular structure and the temperature & pressure, which influence the activity of the molecules. |
| Composition of Matter | Molecules are in matter. Molecules of air, for example, are surrounded by air. * | All matter consists of molecules. There is empty space between the molecules. |
| Size of Molecules | Atoms and inorganic molecules are the size of dust particles or can be seen with a microscope. ** | Most inorganic molecules are too small to see by any known means. |
| Nature of Substances | Gases are somehow different from liquids & solids. Gases have no weight. ** | The molecules of a substance remain the same through all state changes (solid, liquid, gas). Matter is conserved in state changes. |
| Water Vapor | Water vapor is visible as steam or fog or mist. | Water vapor is invisible like most gases because the molecules are far apart from one another, but it has mass. Steam and fog consist of condensed water droplets. |
* Harvard/Smithsonian Private Universe Group
** Michigan Group
* Adapted from Berkheimer, G. D., Anderson, C. W., Lee, O. and Blakeslee, T. D. with assistance from Eichinger, D. and Sands, K., Occasional Paper #121: Matter and Molecules Teacher's Guide: Science Book.
