Miniature Scale Models The miniature models shown in the figures were assembled by members of the Edinburgh Cripple Aid Society. These people have exceptionally strong hands which they use to good advantage to fashion a wide variety of attractive models from precut steel rods and drilled methyl methacrylate balls. These structures have included many crystals such as diamond and zinc blende, and molecules of glucose, hexamethylene tetramine, benzene, and naphthalene. All models me scaled to an interatomic distance of one centimeter to the Angstrom unit. Distances are accurate to 0.1 millimeter.
Rock salt
3-Bromo octodecanoic acid
Diamond
Special machines have been developed to drill the small halls a t the proper bond angles, and automatic guillotines cut the stainless steel rods to standard length. A wide variety of drilled halls and wire are available to construct almost any crystal or molecule desired. The structures are sturdy, inexpensive, and easy to store. Several unit cells of a crystal may he constructed to show various relationships, yet the model fits in the palm of the hand. Bonding is easily seen and interatomic distances may he measured accurately. Polymer structures and larm hioloeical moleoules can also be constructed for individual or class studv. The obtained from the author.
Volume 42, Number 5, Moy
1965
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273
