Tetrahedral Memes

Behold, the most literal molecular model ever constructed! This guy took "hands-on learning" to a spectacular new level by physically embodying methane's tetrahedral structure. Four oil lamps representing hydrogen atoms, all orbiting around a central carbon (himself). Chemistry teachers everywhere are simultaneously impressed and horrified. This is what happens when you tell students to "really connect with the material" but don't specify how. Next week: he'll be attempting to demonstrate ionic bonding with a Tesla coil and aluminum foil.

That moment when ordinary objects transform into molecular orbital shapes. The rusty caltrops here perfectly resembles an sp³ hybrid orbital - the tetrahedral arrangement that carbon atoms adopt to make four bonds. Chemistry students can't escape seeing bonding patterns everywhere. Next thing you know, you're explaining to your date why their meatballs are clearly sp² hybridized.