chem 30a molecular model kit

Colleges & Universities University of California - Los Angeles
1

<p>to people who are in the chem30a series right now, what kind of molecular model kit are u using?</p>

<p>is it this one? [Amazon.com:</a> 1013A /Organic Chemistry Set for Student (HGS Polyhedron Molecular Model): HGS Maruzen: Books](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Organic-Chemistry-Student-Polyhedron-Molecular/dp/B0030TS0M8/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1301002924&sr=8-11]Amazon.com:”>http://www.amazon.com/Organic-Chemistry-Student-Polyhedron-Molecular/dp/B0030TS0M8/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1301002924&sr=8-11) </p>

<p>or</p>

<p>[Amazon.com:</a> HGS Molecular Structure Model (9780716748229): Marzuen: Books](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/HGS-Molecular-Structure-Model-Marzuen/dp/0716748223/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1301003017&sr=8-14]Amazon.com:”>http://www.amazon.com/HGS-Molecular-Structure-Model-Marzuen/dp/0716748223/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1301003017&sr=8-14)</p>

<p>thxxx!</p>

2

<p>To add to the OP’s question, is a model kit necessary/recommended?</p>

3

<p>Not mandatory, but it depends on your ochem professors but this textbook will be used in Chem 30ABC. The molecular kit will only help you “visualize” molecules and would be helpful in reinforcing concepts, but it depends on what kind of person you are. I am a visual learner and had to suffer through two years of high school math “visualizing” everything, so ochem wasn’t too bad for me.</p>

<p>In the chem 14 series, they’re usually allowed to use the molecular kits during tests. It depends on the professor to allow or prohibit the use of these kits.</p>

<p>If you can grasp the [cyclohexane</a> chair flipping concept](<a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyclohexane_conformation]cyclohexane”>Cyclohexane conformation - Wikipedia) after thinking about it some time, then you won’t need to waste your money on this kit.</p>

<p>Come to think of it, I think the only times this kit will be helpful is when you learn about chair flipping and Sn2 reactions.</p>

4

<p>Don’t buy it. A total waste of money!! I have only used it ONCE JUST FOR FUN, and I’ve never used it for the actual class… you’ve got to learn how to visualise molecules in your head anyways…that’s much more effective than looking for those little plastic sticks and the correct plastic atom in the box…</p>