Ms. Kay Balloonawala rendered various molecules and materials in balloon forms.
April 5, 2021 pyrite (FeS2)
color legend:
iron = silver
sulfur = gold
Pyrite, also known as Fool's Gold for its metallic luster and superficial resemblance to gold, is an Iron sulfide with the chemical equation, FeS2. It is a widely distributed mineral found in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks worldwide.
In the balloon sculpture, each iron atom is represented by an octahedron, corresponding to its octahedral bonding structure. Each sulfur atom is represented by a tetrahedron, corresponding to its tetrahedral connectivity.
The pyrite structure was accessed from CrystalMaker.
