Resonance Hybrids and Dot Structures
In some cases, we can draw more than one equivalent Lewis structure for a given molecule or polyatomic ion. These equivalent structures are called resonance structures. The true structure of these types of molecules or polyatomic ions are actually a hybrid, or mixture, of the resonance structures. This is called a resonance hybrid.
Watch these videos, which introduce resonance structures with the example of the nitrate, Na3- ion, which has three resonance structures. All three structures are equivalent – they only differ by the placement of the double bond.
Source: Khan Academy, https://youtu.be/XRM9o1Sq5hg, https://youtu.be/bUCu7bPkZeI This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 License.
Last modified: Thursday, May 20, 2021, 2:10 PM