Faster way to do resonance structures?

[Norah Gidanian 3D]

I was wondering if there was a faster way to do resonance structures. Maybe through a formula or maybe by looking at the numbers of each atom.

[Arieanne De Guzman 2J]

I think more practice with lewis structures would be the best way to get faster at making resonance structures as a whole. The more you do, the more you'll start to see what bonds give the best formal charge, for example, oxygen with having a double bond to another atom gives a formal charge of zero. I also think doing more will allow you to see the behavior of atoms in compounds. For example, carbon likes to form 4 bonds and you'll get a formal charge of zero in that way. With that being said, one of the UAs taught us a faster way to calculate formal charge. Instead of the formula that is in the textbook, you could use FC = (# of atom's ve-) - (# of dots and lines). You'll realize that you'll get the same answer and it is less complicated (in my opinion)! Hope this helps!

[Katie Phan 1K]

To my knowledge, there isn't a trick or life hack that will make it faster to do resonance structures.

[Sharon Kim 2A]

Usually, by looking at one structure you can recognize where certain bonds can be placed or replacing a lone pair to make a double bond. I think by practicing with many Lewis structures, overtime you'll just remember which structures have resonance. However, I wouldn't say there's a definite shortcut.