Molecular Origami: Precision Scale Models from Paper [Paperback]

Robert M. Hanson (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 093570230X | ISBN-13: 978-0935702309 | Publication Date: May 1996

This is a fun, hands-on guide to understanding the basic structure and chemistry of matter. Drawing on the Japanese art of paperfolding, the book provides rip-out patterns for 124 molecules, along with easy instructions for folding them into scale models, many of which are three-dimensional. The molecules progress from simple ones like methane to more exotic structures such as quartz and buckminsterfullerenes. Questions and discussions are included. "Who will use this book? Any chemist who is young at heart might like to snip, fold, and glue, and in doing so might well come away with a deeper knowledge of the bricks of their trade. Any teacher should be able to use them as an aid to teaching, at all levels ...Anything that renders chemistry less abstract, more tangible, is to be welcomed, and this unassuming, engaging publication deserves to be well received." P. W. Atkins, THES

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Each pattern comes complete with chemistry questions to set students thinking." -- New Scientist

Product Details

• Paperback: 223 pages
• Publisher: University Science Books (May 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 093570230X
• ISBN-13: 978-0935702309
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,157,247 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #33 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Chemistry > Molecular Chemistry
  • #86 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Chemistry > Physical & Theoretical > Quantum Chemistry

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not quite what it says, March 17, 2010

By 

Cindy I Think (Pennsylvania, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Molecular Origami: Precision Scale Models from Paper (Paperback)

This book is an excellent source of foldable paper patterns for a broad range of chemical compounds and I think it would be great for some chemistry classes - but I expected no cut folding because the title included origami. The specially shaped models have to be cut out first and then folded to represent the compounds. However - if you want to build inexpensive models to use as study aids I think it would be well worthwhile. Most (all) of the shapes on the cover can be folded from traditional square or rectangular paper using unit constructions, but that approach is not included.

5 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Not Origami, January 24, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Molecular Origami: Precision Scale Models from Paper (Paperback)

The word origami in the title is deceiving. I was hoping for unit or modular origami models. The only folding that you do is of models that must be cut out, folded and taped together. Maybe I can find a chemistry teacher that might be interested in the book.

5 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Science and Art Wrapped in One Package, October 12, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Molecular Origami: Precision Scale Models from Paper (Paperback)

This book is fun. There is a full range of origami skill levels covered. You can create all sorts of molecules and crystal formations from the simple to the infamous buckminster Fullerenes ("buckyballs"). There is information about each item covered in the book. If I could change anything about this book, it would be to have the origami pages colored. With that exception, I thought the book was a very good time. (Who wants to make little paper swans for the rest of their life?)