Question

Two students are working together to build two models. Both models will represent the molecular structure of sodium bicarbonate, NaHCO3, commonly known as baking soda. The students are using toothpicks to represent bonds and jelly beans to represent atoms. Red jelly beans represent sodium atoms (Na), white jelly beans represent hydrogen atoms (H), black jelly beans represent carbon atoms (C), and blue jelly beans represent oxygen atoms (O). Identify the number of each color of jelly bean needed to make both models of NaHCO3. Explain your reasoning.

Answer 1

Answer:

Each student will need;

1 red jelly bean, 1 white jelly bean, 1 black jelly bean and 3 red jelly beans.

Explanation:

Sodium bicarbonate molecule, NaHCO3, or baking soda is composed of the following:

1 atom of sodium, Na;

1 atom of hydrogen, H;

1 atom of carbon, C, and

3 atoms of oxygen.

For each of the models to be built by the two students, these atoms are to be represented accordingly.

Since Red jelly beans represent sodium atoms (Na), white jelly beans represent hydrogen atoms (H), black jelly beans represent carbon atoms (C), and blue jelly beans represent oxygen atoms (O), each student will need;

1 red jelly bean, 1 white jelly bean, 1 black jelly bean and 3 red jelly beans.

A sample model is found in the attachment below: