Which of the following is a disadvantage of using a structural model to represent a chemical compound?

• A. It provides information about the molecular mass.
• B. It does not accurately show the three-dimensional shape of the molecule.
• C. It indicates the color of the compound.
• D. It shows the physical state of the compound at room temperature.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand what a structural model represents: it shows how atoms in a molecule are connected by bonds, typically in a two-dimensional format.
2. Recognize that while structural models display connectivity and bonding, they often do not capture the true three-dimensional geometry of molecules, which can be important for understanding molecular behavior.
3. Note that structural models do not provide information about molecular mass, color, or physical state directly; these properties require other types of data or models.
4. Identify that the main disadvantage of structural models is their inability to accurately depict the three-dimensional shape, which affects understanding of molecular interactions and properties.
5. Conclude that among the given options, the correct disadvantage is that structural models do not accurately show the three-dimensional shape of the molecule.