Resonance structures are simply alternate Lewis s.pdf
- 1. Resonance structures are simply alternate Lewis structures for a given ion or molecule. Thus we can draw all resonance structures by drawing all of the possible Lewis structures. However, it is not always easy to see what all these Lewis structures might be. A set of Lewis structures for a give ion or molecule must have the same number of electrons as the Lewis structures are constructed from the same atoms. The only difference between the Lewis structures is the placement of the electrons. The position of the atoms in space is held constant. We can use this facts to assist us in drawing resonance structures. Because the number of electrons is conserved, electrons taken away from one atom must appear somewhere else in the structure. When drawing resonance structures, it is most convenient to shift these electrons between adjacent atoms. Solution Resonance structures are simply alternate Lewis structures for a given ion or molecule. Thus we can draw all resonance structures by drawing all of the possible Lewis structures. However, it is not always easy to see what all these Lewis structures might be. A set of Lewis structures for a give ion or molecule must have the same number of electrons as the Lewis structures are constructed from the same atoms. The only difference between the Lewis structures is the placement of the electrons. The position of the atoms in space is held constant. We can use this facts to assist us in drawing resonance structures. Because the number of electrons is conserved, electrons taken away from one atom must appear somewhere else in the structure. When drawing resonance structures, it is most convenient to shift these electrons between adjacent atoms.