Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Resonance Structures
Resonance structures are different Lewis structures for the same molecule that depict the same arrangement of atoms but differ in the placement of electrons. These structures help illustrate the delocalization of electrons within a molecule, which contributes to its stability. The actual structure of the molecule is a resonance hybrid, a weighted average of all valid resonance contributors.
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Major and Minor Contributors
In resonance theory, not all resonance structures contribute equally to the resonance hybrid. Major contributors are those that are more stable, typically having full octets, minimal formal charges, and favorable charge distributions. Minor contributors, on the other hand, may have significant formal charges or violate the octet rule, making them less stable and thus contributing less to the overall resonance hybrid.
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Resonance Hybrid
The resonance hybrid is the actual structure of a molecule that results from the combination of all its resonance contributors. It reflects the delocalization of electrons across the molecule, leading to increased stability. The hybrid is often represented by a single structure with partial bonds or charges, indicating that the true electronic structure is a blend of the contributing forms rather than any single resonance structure.
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