Molecules: The Movement of Atoms
Students experimenting with their molecular model robot.Copyright 2011 Jennifer S. Haghpanah, AMPS Program, Polytechnic Institute of NYU
Students work as engineers to learn about the properties of molecules and how they move in 3D space through the use of LEGO® MINDSTORMS® EV3 robotics. They design and build molecular models and use different robotic sensors to control the movement of the molecular simulations. Students learn about the size of atoms, Newman projections, and the relationship of energy and strain on atoms. This unique modular modeling activity is especially helpful in providing students with a spatial and tactile understanding of how molecules behave.
Many types of engineers apply programming to solve everyday challenges. For example, some chemical engineers are exploring design of the ideal molecule to cure cancer or ways to save energy—through the use of "hyper molecular modeling." Other chemical and biomedical engineers use programs (such as PyRosetta) to find the protein with the most energy conserved in a system. Programming languages such as IDL, C++ and Java are used by engineers to create applications for Apple and Android devices, generate new robots, analyze scientific research, and much more.
After this activity, students should be able to:
- Design a LEGO robot.
- Program a robot with LEGO EV3 MINDSTORMS software.
- Program color and ultrasonic sensors to detect different colored and sized model molecules.
- Program the response from the light and ultrasonic sensors to the display screen.
- Explain steric hindrance of molecules and terms such as Newman projections, staggered and eclipsed.
- Describe how energies relate to staggered and eclipsed.