How do Resonance Structures Work?

[Myles Chang 1B]

Hello!
I was a bit confused on how resonance structures work. Dr. Lavelle mentioned in class that the real structure of an element is not any of the resonance structures, but rather is an average of them. How does that work? How can one electron be spread across multiple, incomplete orbitals?

[Chem_Mod]

They actually are "delocalized" over multiple orbitals. You will see this more clearly in upcoming lectures or in future classes when discussing pi bonds.

[Gianna Graziano 1A]

Hi Myles,
I believe that resonance structures are just alternative forms of an acceptable Lewis Structure. Since a molecule can be represented in many ways, the actual way would be a combination of the two. Since bonding can not be expressed in one way, the resonance structure shows that electrons are actually delocalized.

[Jennifer Ma 1G]

Although all resonance structures are acceptable forms of a Lewis structure, you would need to draw out all the possible resonance structure (if asked to), and indicate that they are of resonance by a double ended arrow: <->

[Daniel Cho Section 1H]

A usual trend in Resonance particularly with compounds has a neutral is that there are two elements that has opposing formal charges such as +1 and -1. If you see that with a compound with a double bond that is a good indicator that the compound can be represented in resonance.

I hope this helps. Please correct me in places where I might be wrong.