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 and reactivity. The actual structure of the molecule is a resonance hybrid, a weighted average of all valid resonance forms.
Recommended video:
Drawing Resonance Structures
Resonance Hybrid
The resonance hybrid is the actual structure of a molecule that is represented as a combination of its resonance contributors. It reflects the delocalization of electrons across the molecule, resulting in bond lengths and angles that are intermediate between those predicted by individual resonance structures. The hybrid is more stable than any single resonance contributor due to this electron delocalization.
Recommended video:
How to draw a resonance hybrid.
Stability of Resonance Contributors
The stability of resonance contributors is determined by factors such as the octet rule, charge distribution, and the presence of formal charges. Contributors that have full octets, minimal formal charges, and charge separation are generally more stable and thus make a greater contribution to the resonance hybrid. Ranking these contributors helps predict the most significant forms that influence the molecule's properties.
Recommended video:
The radical stability trend.