Magnet and Pin kit: Connection Symbolic and Submicroscopic Representations of Lewis dot structure and Molecular geometry

Abstract

This work aims to connect the symbolic and submicroscopic representations of covalent compound’s Lewis dot structure and molecular geometry by using the Magnetic and Pin kit (MP-kit), which was constructed from magnets and pins. The MP-kit was created to facilitate the students. The kit has two sets, the first set, called Magnet set, consists of a 30x30 cm iron plate, an alphabet A with magnet (refer to central atom), 6 alphabets B with magnet (refer to surrounding atom), 18 white circular magnets (refer to valence electron of A), 42 black circular magnets (refer to valence electron of B) and 3 yellow circular magnets (refer to extra electron of molecule, from ion generation). Which was used to create the Lewis dot structure of covalent molecules. The second set, called Pin set, consists of a spherical eraser (refer to central atom), 6 pins (refer to bond and surrounding atom) and 3 droplet pins (refer to lone pair electron of central atom). Which was used to make the molecular geometry of covalent compounds, that predicted by using VSEPR theory. The users can use the Magnet set to create the Lewis dot structure without frequent drawing and rubbing on the papers. The magnets on the plate are moved for anytime when the users know it’s wrong. Moreover, this set can be used to show the number of bond pair electrons, types of bond and number of lone pair electrons on central atom. The Pin set is used to build the 3D molecular structure and specify the bond angles. The kit was used to link the symbolic and submicroscopic representations and encourage the student’s understanding. Finally, the teacher can use the MP-kit to check the student’s misconception, leading to solve problems immediately.