chemistry

Molecule editor

Molecule editor is a chemistry topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand Molecule editor rather than just read about it. In short: A molecule editor is a computer program for creating and modifying representations of chemical structures. Molecule editors can manipulate chemical structure representations in either a simulated two-dimensional space or three-dimensional space, via 2D computer graphics or 3D computer graphics, respectively.

Key takeaways

Molecule editor belongs to chemistry; place it in that map before memorising details.
Learn the definition first, then one example that makes the definition concrete.
Connect Molecule editor to a quantity you can measure, compute or draw — that is where exam questions come from.
Reproduce the core statement of Molecule editor from memory before moving on to harder problems.

Reference excerpt

A molecule editor is a computer program for creating and modifying representations of chemical structures. Molecule editors can manipulate chemical structure representations in either a simulated two-dimensional space or three-dimensional space, via 2D computer graphics or 3D computer graphics, respectively. Two-dimensional output is used as illustrations or to query chemical databases. Three-dimensional output is used to build molecular models, usually as part of molecular modelling software packages. Database molecular editors such as Leatherface, RECAP, and Molecule Slicer allow large numbers of molecules to be modified automatically according to rules such as 'deprotonate carboxylic acids' or 'break exocyclic bonds' that can be specified by a user. Molecule editors typically support reading and writing at least one file format or line notation. Examples of each include Molfile and simplified molecular input line entry specification (SMILES), respectively. Files generated by molecule editors can be displayed by molecular graphics tools.

Standalone programs

2D structure editing

3D structure editing

Java Applets

JavaScript embeddable editors

See also ChemSpider Comparison of software for molecular mechanics modeling Molecular design software

Notes and references

External links Molecular structure input on the web The Chemical Structure Editor: Bridging Chemistry and Cheminformatics

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with Molecule editor

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what Molecule editor claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In chemistry, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to Molecule editor before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about Molecule editor ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of Molecule editor

In research: Molecule editor appears in chemistry research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry: Engineering practice reuses Molecule editor in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom: Molecule editor is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics Chemistry software, Computational chemistry, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life: Look for Molecule editor outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.

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How to study Molecule editor in 20 minutes

Read the reference excerpt below once, without taking notes.
Close the page and write down what Molecule editor means in your own words.
Compare your version with the excerpt and mark what you missed.
Work through the three examples above with pen and paper.
Explain Molecule editor out loud to somebody else — or to Teacher Smith in the lgStudy chat.

Frequently asked questions

What is Molecule editor in simple terms?

Why does Molecule editor matter?

Because it connects several chemistry ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study Molecule editor?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on Molecule editor.