Why is Understanding Wedge-Dash Diagrams Important for Visualizing Molecules?

[sjbdec5]

Homework Statement

I am studying stereochemistry and I cannot understand how to draw wedges and dashes properly in linear alkanes. Can anyone explain how this works?

Relevant Equations

none

I can only view each carbon individually so I don't see why the representations under incorrect is incorrect.

 

[Borek]

"Each carbon should look like a tetrahedron" - do they?

 

[Sabya2004]

first you have to check what is the hybridisation of the carbon. then check if they the sorrounding atoms are planar or non planar. if they are planar you do not need to draw to wedge dash projection but if they are non planar then you have to.

 

[docnet]

Wedge dash diagrams are just a way to visualize the 3D geometries of molecules in the 2D plane. The wedges point out of the plane, dashes point into the plane, and lines are in the plane. They don't really need a more elaborate explanation than that.

You don't even need a molecule model, although it can help. Just picture a simple tetrahedral geometry in 3d space. Any confusion about why the incorrect diagrams are incorrect should disappear quickly.