Question

Biologists use ball-and-stick models to study complex molecules by representing atoms with balls and bonds with sticks. DNA is a biological molecule that contains millions of atoms. What is a limitation of using a ball-and-stick model for DNA?

Answer 1

Most models can't incorporate all the details of complex natural phenomena. For example, when measuring distances around the Earth it's convenient to model the Earth as a sphere, but this doesn't incorporate variations in distance because of mountain ranges, valleys and other topological features the traveler must traverse. Incorporating these additional details would make the model too complex for easy use. Since models must be simple enough that you can use them to make predictions, they often leave out some of the details.

ALSO.

The conformation of molecules are based on probability. It fails to take into account the electronegativity of individual atoms. And it is ineffective in showing inorganic interactions with metals and such.