Resonance vs. Lewis Structure?

[Yasmine Choroomi 2C]

Hi! How do you know when you're just supposed to draw one lewis structure vs. when you're supposed to draw every lewis structure to show resonance? Do you just always draw all possible structures or if it just says draw lewis you draw only one but if it says show resonance you draw all?

Thanks!!

[Genesis_Lavelle_1F]

If it has a formal charge its most likely that you have to draw resonance, because it shows the multiple ways the molecule can form.

[Chris_Rudewicz_3H]

It should ask for resonance structures in the question if that is what they are looking for. If it just asks to draw THE lewis structure, like in question 101a in chapter 3, there is only one correct structure.

[Jimmy Zhou 3D]

Usually, you will know that you have a resonance structure when it is obvious that the double bond in the molecule can be used interchangeably between the other atoms and the central atom.

[Joyce Wu 3E]

If the question requires you to draw the resonance, it will probably always ask you specifically to. Otherwise, the question would state: "draw the most STABLE lewis structure". Which simply means the one with the lowest formal charge.

[Ashley Bertholf 1E]

You will more than likely be asked specifically to draw a resonance structure, you won't typically know to do it on your own without instruction. However, when drawing lewis structures even if there is resonance you should simply draw the one with the lowest formal charges if the question doesn't include anything explicitly about resonance.

[Jennah Muhammad 1H]

I'm always confused on how to draw the different resonance structures.. does it matter how you move the double bonds around if it has the same arrangements of atoms

[Alejandra Reyna 1E]

I believe you can move the double bonds around as long as the Octet rule is being satisfied.

[Tara 1F]

The difference between these is a subject I'm struggling with. Does anyone have any tips/homework problems that they think help explain?

[604744616]

But how exactly do we know when we are able to have a resonance structure? Like what are the characteristics we should
look for in order to figure that out? or is every lewis structure have a resonance?