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 forms, where more stable forms contribute more to the hybrid.
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Major and Minor Contributors
In resonance theory, major contributors are resonance structures that are more stable and thus have a greater influence on the resonance hybrid. Factors such as the octet rule, formal charges, and electronegativity determine the stability of these structures. Minor contributors, while still valid, are less stable and contribute less to the overall resonance hybrid, often due to unfavorable charge distributions or incomplete octets.
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Equally Contributing Resonance Structures
Some molecules may have resonance contributors that are equally stable, meaning they contribute equally to the resonance hybrid. This occurs when all structures satisfy the octet rule, have minimal formal charges, and maintain similar energy levels. Identifying such structures is crucial for understanding the overall electronic distribution in the molecule, as it indicates a high degree of resonance stabilization.
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