I. Use two trapezoids to make a hexagon. Then, create a second hexagon around the original and finally a third hexagon around the second one.

II. Fill in the following table which compares "levels" of hexagons to the total number of trapezoids:

 

Data Table

III. What is the chemical significance of these numbers?

IV. Use your calculator to predict the number of electrons in a full 4th shell:

V. Create a 4th hexagon to test your prediction:

VI. How many trapezoids would be needed to make 5, 6, and 10 hexagons?

Do these numbers make sense chemically?

VII. Trapezoids put together in this hexagonal manner have other chemical connections which are explained in the attached article from the April issue of The Science Teacher.