Chapter 6 Introduction

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Our sense of taste is closely related to our sense of smell. For this reason, many chefs have very sophisticated senses of smell.
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CHAPTER 6

Speaking of Molecules

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In this chapter, you will study

  • different representations for molecules

  • bonding patterns in molecular covalent compounds

  • how molecular structure relates to smell

The nose is able to identify hundreds of different smells. Most substances that smell are made of molecules. So, how does the nose differentiate one molecule from another? When you analyze the molecular composition and structure of compounds that smell, a variety of patterns emerges. Knowing the number and types of atoms in molecules, and the way atoms are connected in molecules, is vital to understanding the chemistry of smell.