Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Resonance Structures
Resonance structures are different ways of drawing a molecule that show the delocalization of electrons. They represent the same molecule but differ in the arrangement of electrons, particularly pi electrons and lone pairs. The actual structure of the molecule is a resonance hybrid, which is a weighted average of all valid resonance contributors, with more stable structures contributing more to the hybrid.
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Major and Minor Contributors
In resonance theory, major contributors are those resonance structures that are more stable and thus have a greater influence on the resonance hybrid. Factors that enhance stability include full octets, minimized formal charges, and the presence of electronegative atoms bearing negative charges. Minor contributors, on the other hand, are less stable and contribute less to the overall resonance hybrid due to higher energy configurations or unfavorable charge distributions.
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Equally Contributing Resonance Structures
Some molecules may have resonance contributors that contribute equally to the resonance hybrid. This occurs when all structures have similar stability and energy levels, often seen in symmetrical molecules. Identifying such structures is crucial for understanding the overall electronic distribution in the molecule, as it indicates that no single structure dominates, leading to a more uniform distribution of electron density.
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