Most Important Resonance Structures

[Hannah Pablo 2H]

Why is the 1st resonance structure the most important?

[Anusha Sadda Lec4 Dis4F]

The first resonance structure is the most stable one: The charges are most balanced out in that structure with a -1 in the middle and two +1 ones on either side. The second one on the other hand is not as balanced because there is a more negative charge on the right side. The third one has the same problem but on the left side.

[Dahriel Aron 3A]

How would you know which N to give a +1, 0, or -1 charge to?

[Erin Murashige 1L]

That is based on the formal charge which indicates gain or loss of electrons while forming covalent bonds. The formula is FC = V - (L + S/2). V is the valence electrons, L is the lone pair of electrons and S is the shared electrons.