resonance structure of NO2
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hello ,
The Lewis structure for certain molecules or ions can be drawn in more than one way. For example, for NO2- the number of valence electrons is 5 + 2 (6) + 1 = 18 e- (or 9 pairs), and we find that there are two equally valid Lewis structures that can be drawn:

Which one is correct? Well, you would expect that the doubly bonded oxygen-nitrogen distance to be slightly less than the singly bonded distance. Actually, what is found experimentally is that both N-O distances are equivalent. The true structure of the molecule is a combination of the two. Anytime you have more than one valid structure for a molecule or ion, you have what are known as resonance structures. So in this case, both resonances structures contribute equally to the final structure of the molecule.
hope # helps #
The Lewis structure for certain molecules or ions can be drawn in more than one way. For example, for NO2- the number of valence electrons is 5 + 2 (6) + 1 = 18 e- (or 9 pairs), and we find that there are two equally valid Lewis structures that can be drawn:

Which one is correct? Well, you would expect that the doubly bonded oxygen-nitrogen distance to be slightly less than the singly bonded distance. Actually, what is found experimentally is that both N-O distances are equivalent. The true structure of the molecule is a combination of the two. Anytime you have more than one valid structure for a molecule or ion, you have what are known as resonance structures. So in this case, both resonances structures contribute equally to the final structure of the molecule.
hope # helps #
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the o's denotes bonded pair of electrons and the x's denotes the unshared pair of electrons.
thus they attain octet rule.
thus they attain octet rule.
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