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Reading a Carbon Model in a Mirror 4 questions
Reading a Carbon Model in a Mirror
Base your answers on the information provided and your knowledge of chemistry. Use the 2025 Chemistry Reference Tables as needed.
A display builds a model with a central carbon atom bonded once to H, F, Cl, and Br. The four bonds point toward the corners of a tetrahedron. Each record keeps H pointing toward the viewer, directly in front of C. A rotation of the model may change which of the other atoms appears at the top, while preserving their clockwise order.
Question 1
Use P and Q to explain how two views can have different atoms at the top but show the same circular order.
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Question 2
Which observation rules out getting R by rotating P while keeping H pointed toward the viewer?
- H still points toward the viewer.
- P and R each have F at the top.
- Br follows F in R, while Cl follows F in P.
- The same four elements occur in all models.
A mirror view of P reverses the circular order. A separate student model swaps the positions of Cl and Br on P while keeping H and F in place.
Question 3
Draw the swapped model as seen with H toward the viewer and F at the top. Label where Cl and Br appear.
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Question 4
A student says the atom count and bond types alone can distinguish P and R. Evaluate the claim using the two records.
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