Standard colors for molecular models?

Question

I am wondering if there are any standardized colors for atoms used in molecular models.

I need the colors for: chlorine, nitrogen, phosphorous, fluorine and sulfur.

Answer 1

Normally, the colors are as follows:

Chlorine: green
Nitrogen: blue
Phosphorus: sometimes red other times purple
Fluorine: not sure about this one
Sulfur: usually yellow

These depend on the company that made the set, though, and are not hard and fast rules.

Answer 2

I have a problem when I write magazine articles about organic chemistry, and I have to put molecular models on the cover. It's most dramatic when the background is black, because it looks like the molecule is floating in intergalactic space. But the color of carbon is supposed to be black. So I have to make carbon blue or some other color, then that throws every thing else off. Good luck.