The purpose of this promising practice lesson is to explore the molecular structure of matter and how it can affect the physical characteristics of a specific material. Students use Internet resources to compare the structure of diamonds and graphite.

The purpose of this promising practice lesson is to explore the molecular structure of matter and how it can affect the physical characteristics of a specific material. Students use Internet resources to compare the structure of diamonds and graphite. One of the sites explored, Reciprocal Net, provides digital 3-D structures that students can manipulate. (author/ts)

This advanced lesson builds on the student's prior knowledge of atoms and molecules to examine the element carbon. Carbon is found in many substances with very different physical characteristics.

This advanced lesson builds on the student's prior knowledge of atoms and molecules to examine the element carbon. Carbon is found in many substances with very different physical characteristics. Several parts of the lesson may be of particular interest to career-technical classes in the Construction and Engineering fields. Lesson topics include information about using carbon in bicycle frames for strength, the structure of geodesic domes, and an activity exploring relative strength of a pyramid and a cube built with straws. (jrs)