Polyhedral Model Kit

Key to the online directions

Below is shown the online controls for the internet companion representation of the NaCl structure. The numbered section on the right (and the menu at the top of the page) comprise a set of controls that are specific to each particular structure. Step 0 for each structure indicates the polyhedral units involved in that structure. The numbered steps indicate the order for assembling layers. Click the button to change the view to that step. Use the mouse to drag and rotate the molecule; shift-drag to zoom. Usually several layers are built and then assembled.

The controls at the bottom are common to all of the structures and allow the viewer to toggle between translucent-polyhedral, solid-polyhedral, quadrant-polyhedral, ball-and-stick, ball, stick, or space-filling representations, and various sizes of atom labels. Selected options apply even when you change views.

Stereo draws two images, either (1) separate images meant to be viewed separately by each eye (“wall view”), (2) overlaid views which require red and blue glasses (“red and blue”), or (3) separate images showing the front and side views at the same time (“90°”).

At any time the representation can be made to spin. This rotation will continue until toggled off.
The Reset and Center buttons allow the default settings to be restored if zooming or rotating has gotten you confused.

Use the Large Screen link to increase the figure size on large format monitors.