Resonance Structures

[Hannah Faris 1C]

Hi, I just wanted to ask what causes resonance structures, and how to know if a molecule has one? Just wanted to know!!

Thanks!

[505211599]

A resonance structure comes into play when there are 2 or more ways of writing out a Lewis structure for a molecule. We lost all structures because we can’t specifically pinpoint one correct structure.

[Emilee Hosking 1D]

What are some examples of resonance structures? Do they only occur in bonds between certain molecules?

[Rhea Churi 4K]

What are some examples of resonance structures? Do they only occur in bonds between certain molecules?

Resonance structures are used when one Lewis structure for a single molecule cannot fully describe the bonding that takes place. Polyatomic icons usually have resonance structures, like nitrate for example.

[Daniel Lai]

Ozone is a good example for resonance. The double bond can be on either side of the central oxygen, so there are two resonance structures.

[Laura Gong 3H]

Most molecules or ions that have resonant structures usually have more than one oxygen. Some examples include SO42- and NO3- which we did in class and CO32-.