atomic model that demonstrates a physical property?

Question

Objective: The objective of this hands-on project is to create an atomic model that demonstrates a physical property we discussed in this class. The following are suggestions:

a) Stiffness
b) Thermal conductivity
c) Anisotropy in elastic properties
d) Electrical conductivity
e) Melting
f) Thermal expansion

Answer 1

Not sure how you could turn these ideas into a model but electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity are closely related, it is the conduction electrons (those electrons which are in the outer shells, the ones least strongly bound to the nucleus) which are available to flow. It is the flow of these electrons that is electrical current. Thermal conductivity also involves the energy of electrons and, in most metallic elements, increasing electrical conductivity correlates with increased thermal conductivity.

Stiffness, melting, and thermal expansion are related as well and involve the strength of the inter-atomic bonds (also based on the electrons).

Anisotropic elastic properties (and many physical properties) is due to the crystalline structure and may be the easiest to model. In, for example, a face center cubic (FCC) crystal, the spacing of the atoms is different in different directions. If you create a 3D model of a unit cell of FCC crystal with the XYZ origin at one corner, the spacing of atoms in the X direction is different than in the face diagonal direction and is different than in the body diagonal direction. Therefore, properties are different in those different directions.

If you search for more info on crystallography, you should be able to find more reading. good luck