Let’s start with something simple: imagine a hydrogen atom. Now, picture another one. When these two hydrogen atoms come together, they form a molecule called H2, which is just two hydrogen atoms bonded. If we add an oxygen atom to this, we get H2O, which is water. Similarly, when a carbon atom bonds with four hydrogen atoms, it forms methane. Methane can react with water to produce methanol. These are basic examples of how atoms combine to form different molecules.
To make these concepts easier to understand, there’s a cool tool called Snatoms. It’s a Magnetic Molecular Modeling Kit that helps you learn chemistry by actually building molecules. I’m Derek Muller, and I run a YouTube channel called Veritasium, where I teach science to millions of people. I believe that some chemistry concepts are best learned by doing, not just watching or reading.
Atoms are super tiny and invisible, and the way we usually write chemical formulas can be confusing. As a former teacher, I wanted a better way to teach these ideas. Traditional models, like the ball-and-stick ones, have their limits. Snatoms improve on these models in three big ways:
There’s a common misunderstanding about energy in chemical bonds. Many people think that breaking bonds releases energy, but that’s not true. It’s actually the formation of bonds that releases energy, while breaking them requires energy. Snatoms help you understand this by letting you feel the effort needed to break a bond and hear the energy released when a new bond forms.
Creating Snatoms took over two years. I started with Styrofoam balls and magnets to make prototypes. After refining the design with drawings and 3D printing, I made injection-molded prototypes, which I showed in my video “5 Fun Physics Phenomena.”
To make Snatoms available to everyone, I’m looking for support to fund the production of molds and magnets. A basic Snatoms kit would include six carbon atoms, six oxygen atoms, and twelve hydrogen atoms—enough to build glucose, a simple sugar molecule. With these pieces, you can create hundreds of other molecules.
Besides the physical kits, I plan to make video guides to help you learn about molecular structures, chemical bonding, geometry, and balancing equations. If we reach certain funding goals, I want to expand the kit to include more elements, like nitrogen, and develop an app to make learning even more fun.
I truly believe that the best way to learn science is by doing it yourself. If you agree and want to help bring Snatoms to life, consider supporting our Kickstarter campaign. Even if you can’t buy a set, sharing this project with your friends on social media can make a big difference.
Thank you for your support as we work together to make science education more interactive and engaging!
Using a Snatoms kit, try to build a water molecule (H2O) and a methane molecule (CH4). Pay attention to how the atoms connect and the shape of the molecules. This will help you understand molecular geometry and bonding.
With your Snatoms kit, experiment with breaking and forming bonds. Notice the effort required to break a bond and the energy released when forming a new one. This will clarify the concept that energy is released during bond formation and required during bond breaking.
Use Snatoms to model the reaction between methane and water to form methanol. Write the chemical equation for this reaction and balance it. This activity will reinforce your understanding of chemical reactions and equation balancing.
Work in groups to create a short video guide explaining how to build a specific molecule using Snatoms. Share your video with the class. This will help you articulate your understanding of molecular structures and improve your communication skills.
Challenge yourself to design a new molecule using the Snatoms kit. Research its properties and potential uses. Present your findings to the class. This activity encourages creativity and application of your chemistry knowledge.
Atoms – The smallest unit of a chemical element that retains its chemical properties, consisting of a nucleus surrounded by electrons. – In chemistry class, we learned that atoms are the building blocks of matter.
Molecules – Groups of two or more atoms bonded together, representing the smallest fundamental unit of a chemical compound that can take part in a chemical reaction. – Water is made up of molecules, each consisting of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom.
Energy – The capacity to do work or produce change, often measured in joules or calories in scientific contexts. – During a chemical reaction, energy is either absorbed or released, depending on the nature of the reaction.
Bonds – Forces that hold atoms together in a molecule, including ionic, covalent, and metallic bonds. – Covalent bonds involve the sharing of electron pairs between atoms.
Hydrogen – A colorless, odorless, highly flammable gas, the chemical element with the symbol H and atomic number 1. – Hydrogen is the lightest element and is commonly found in water molecules.
Oxygen – A reactive element that is a member of the chalcogen group, with the symbol O and atomic number 8, essential for respiration in living organisms. – Oxygen is crucial for combustion reactions and is necessary for life on Earth.
Carbon – A nonmetallic element with the symbol C and atomic number 6, known for its ability to form a vast number of compounds, including organic molecules. – Carbon is the backbone of organic chemistry, forming the basis of all known life.
Methane – A colorless, odorless flammable gas, the simplest alkane with the chemical formula $CH_4$. – Methane is a significant greenhouse gas and is used as a fuel source.
Learning – The process of acquiring knowledge or skills through study, experience, or teaching, especially in scientific contexts. – In our chemistry class, learning about the periodic table helps us understand the properties of different elements.
Chemistry – The branch of science that studies the composition, structure, properties, and changes of matter. – Chemistry helps us understand how substances interact and transform during chemical reactions.
