Virtual colors for atom representation?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the color coding used for atom representation in molecular models. While there is no universally accepted standard, several references provide common color schemes. Atkins' Molecules outlines a palette where hydrogen is white/gray, carbon is black, nitrogen is blue, oxygen is red, fluorine is light blue, phosphorus is orange, sulfur is yellow, and chlorine is green. Sodium is noted to be represented by purple, while potassium lacks a specified color in this context. In biological modeling, programs like PyMol typically use yellow for carbon, white for hydrogen, red for oxygen, blue for nitrogen, orange for sulfur or phosphorus, and green for metal ions and halogens. The discussion highlights the variability in color representation and suggests considering flame test colors for elements like potassium and sodium.
somasimple
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Hi there,

I suppose there is a standard palette for atoms representation?
i.e. white for hydrogen, red for oxygen?

Is there a site or a link that provides such information?
 
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No such standard as far as I am aware.
 
If you're interested in precedent, Atkins uses in Atkins' Molecules white/gray for H, black for C, blue for N, red for O, light blue for F, orange for P, yellow for S, and green for Cl.
 
That's a beginning! Nothing about K and Na?
 
Sodium was purple. He didn't write about any molecules with potassium!
 
Thanks, I'll find a color for potassium.
 
Carbon black, chlorine green - these are colors more or less related to the elements. You may think about colors potassium and sodium give in the flame test.
 
In biology, programs that display crystal structures of protein and nucleic acids generally use yellow for carbon, white for hydrogen, red for oxygen, blue for nitrogen, orange for sulfur or phosphorus, and green for things like metal ions, halogens, or other small ions that may be in the structure. (the specific program I'm referring to is PyMol [www.pymol.org][/URL])
 
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thanks for information.
 
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