|
|
|
|
|
Basic Information |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Physical Environment > HONC Atoms |
This site tells the story of the history of the universe. Click Earlier and Later to follow the story. Note: Many facts have been simplified to make them easier to understand. |
|
It is worth mentioning here that life depends mainly on molecules formed from four different types of atom: hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen and carbon.
These four atoms can each make a different number of covalent bonds: hydrogen can make only one, oxygen can make two, nitrogen three and carbon can make four covalent bonds. Here we show the HONC atoms as balls with their bonds as sticks. Can you work out which atom is which? Note that, taken in order (1234), the symbols for these atoms spell the word HONC. This is one way to remember how many bonds each atom can make. To find out why these numbers arise, click here. |
|
| Like this web site? Buy the book! |
Physical Environment > HONC Atoms |
|
|
Basic Information |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
