empirical formula is like a box of Lego bricks

Categories: Comparisons

An example of a teaching analogy:

"The word empirical tells us that an empirical formula such as C₂H₆ is not supposed to be a structural diagram of the molecule. It's like a box of Legos. The empirical formula tells you how many Legos of each color there are, but it doesn't tell you what to build with them.

…An empirical formula such as C₂H₆ is not a structural diagram. Think of it as a list of ingredients. It doesn't tell you what to make with them."

John Denker, shared on a chemistry education email list.

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Read examples of scientific analogies

Many examples of science analogies are listed in 'Creative comparisons: Making science familiar through language. An illustrative catalogue of figurative comparisons and analogies for science concepts'. Free Download.

Of itself, the reference to a list of ingredients can be seen as a distinct simile.

Read about similes in science

Read about examples of science similes

Many examples of science similes are listed in 'Creative Comparisons: Making Science Familiar through Language. An illustrative catalogue of figurative comparisons and analogies for science concepts'. Free Download.

Author: Keith

Former school and college science teacher, teacher educator, research supervisor, and research methods lecturer. Emeritus Professor of Science Education at the University of Cambridge.