Double Bonds [ENDORSED]

[Danieljm1B]

How do you know which bonds get a another bond when drawing a Lewis structure?

[hannabarlow1A]

For many molecules, there is more than one way to draw its lewis structure/ many places where you can draw a double bond. For example, for NO3-, there can be a double bond between any one of the oxygen atoms and the nitrogen atom. In actuality, this means that the true structure is more of a blend of the 3 different possible structures, aka "resonance"

[Chem_Mod]

In addition, thinking about formal charges and which atoms can hold more (or less) than an octet will help you place the double bonds when not all of the possible positions are equivalent, which will be covered in lecture soon :)

[jlinwashington1B]

There are many resonance structures that correlate with bond formation. However, it is important to make sure that when you create these structures to fulfill the octet rule.

[nicknavejas1B]

This thread was so helpful thank you!