Chemistry / Unit 6 Chem 1009 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Resonance
Captions available
The idea
Resonance describes a molecule whose true electron distribution blends two or more valid Lewis structures, none alone fully accurate.
In practice
Ozone is drawn with two structures differing only in which oxygen-oxygen bond is double; the real molecule matches neither.
Where people slip
Resonance structures are not different molecules flipping back and forth; the real molecule is one fixed blend.
Your place on the trail
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