Some one who's a Chemistry Major... Please chime in correct me if I'm missing anything. :D
Thanks.
During some of my recent research I've come across this topic.
RESONANCE STRUCTURES
"When two or more electron dot formulas can be written, they are called resonance structures."
(Timberlake, Karen C. General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry: Structures of Life. San Francisco: Pearson Benjamin Cummings, 2007. Print.)
"Several Lewis structures are used collectively to describe the actual molecular structure... the molecule does not oscillate back and forth between the contributing structures, as might be assumed from the word "resonance". The actual structure is an approximate intermediate between the canonical forms... This intermediate form between different contributing structures is called a resonance hybrid... Resonance is a key component of valence bond theory."
"Due to confusion with the physical meaning of the word resonance, as no elements actually appear to be resonating, it has been suggested that the term resonance be abandoned in favor of delocalization.[9] Resonance energy would become delocalization energy and a resonance structure becomes a contributing structure."
"A resonance hybrid has a structure that is intermediate between the contributing structures; the total quantity of potential energy, however, is lower than the intermediate. Hybrids are therefore always more stable than any of the contributing structures would be.[13] The molecule is sometimes said to be "stabilized by resonance" or "resonance-stabilized," but the stabilization derives from electron delocalization, of which "resonance" is only a description."
("Resonance (chemistry)." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 05 May 2013. Web. 06 May 2013.)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resonance_%28chemistry%29
"Molecules that require description with resonance are those for which we can write two or more Lewis structures that differ only in the position of electrons
If the structures differ in the position of atoms, they are isomers, not resonance structures
http://chemistry.umeche.maine.edu/CHY251/Reson.html
So... This would seem to indicate that water is a "resonance structure".
Why? Might you ask... There are multiple ways to draw the electron configurations.
Furthermore, since you've got multiple diagrams you will have a "resonance hybrid" for the water molecule.
In other words:
Water has a partial negative and partial positive charge. Which means you can line it up in an electric field.
Also, It think this is related to water having a slight "polar covalent bond".
Thanks.
During some of my recent research I've come across this topic.
RESONANCE STRUCTURES
"When two or more electron dot formulas can be written, they are called resonance structures."
(Timberlake, Karen C. General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry: Structures of Life. San Francisco: Pearson Benjamin Cummings, 2007. Print.)
"Several Lewis structures are used collectively to describe the actual molecular structure... the molecule does not oscillate back and forth between the contributing structures, as might be assumed from the word "resonance". The actual structure is an approximate intermediate between the canonical forms... This intermediate form between different contributing structures is called a resonance hybrid... Resonance is a key component of valence bond theory."
"Due to confusion with the physical meaning of the word resonance, as no elements actually appear to be resonating, it has been suggested that the term resonance be abandoned in favor of delocalization.[9] Resonance energy would become delocalization energy and a resonance structure becomes a contributing structure."
"A resonance hybrid has a structure that is intermediate between the contributing structures; the total quantity of potential energy, however, is lower than the intermediate. Hybrids are therefore always more stable than any of the contributing structures would be.[13] The molecule is sometimes said to be "stabilized by resonance" or "resonance-stabilized," but the stabilization derives from electron delocalization, of which "resonance" is only a description."
("Resonance (chemistry)." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 05 May 2013. Web. 06 May 2013.)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resonance_%28chemistry%29
"Molecules that require description with resonance are those for which we can write two or more Lewis structures that differ only in the position of electrons
If the structures differ in the position of atoms, they are isomers, not resonance structures
http://chemistry.umeche.maine.edu/CHY251/Reson.html
So... This would seem to indicate that water is a "resonance structure".
Why? Might you ask... There are multiple ways to draw the electron configurations.
Furthermore, since you've got multiple diagrams you will have a "resonance hybrid" for the water molecule.
In other words:
Water has a partial negative and partial positive charge. Which means you can line it up in an electric field.
Also, It think this is related to water having a slight "polar covalent bond".