Lewis Structures and Resonance in Chemistry

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts from the lecture on Lewis Structures, resonance, and molecular structure in chemistry.

Lewis Structure

A diagram that shows the bonding between atoms and the lone pairs of electrons in a molecule.

Resonance

A phenomenon in which a molecule can be represented by two or more valid Lewis structures that differ only in the position of the electrons.

Bond Order

The number of chemical bonds between a pair of atoms; higher bond order means shorter and stronger bonds.

Central Atom

The atom in a molecule that is surrounded by other atoms; it usually is the least electronegative.

Formal Charge

The charge an atom would have in a molecule if all the electrons were shared equally.

Octet Rule

The principle that atoms tend to bond in a way that fills their outer electron shell with eight electrons.

Polar Molecule

A molecule with a net dipole moment due to the presence of polar bonds that do not cancel each other out.

Diatomic Molecule

A molecule composed of two atoms, which may be of the same or different chemical elements.

Octet Completion

Adjusting the number of bonds around an atom to ensure it has eight electrons in its valence shell.

Delocalized Electrons

Electrons that are spread out over a larger area of a molecule, typically seen in resonance structures.

Line-Angle Structure

A simplified way of drawing organic molecules where carbon atoms are represented at the ends of lines.

Acetic Acid

An organic compound with the formula CH3COOH, known for its sour taste and strong odor.

Ozone (O3)

A molecule composed of three oxygen atoms, notable for its presence in the Earth's stratosphere.

Bonding Electrons

Electrons that are involved in forming chemical bonds between atoms.

Lone Pairs

Pairs of valence electrons that are not shared with another atom and remain on a single atom.

Electronegativity

The tendency of an atom to attract a bonding pair of electrons.

Hydroxyl Group

A functional group consisting of an oxygen atom bonded to a hydrogen atom (-OH), characteristic of alcohols.

Carboxylic Acid

An organic acid containing a carbonyl and a hydroxyl group, represented by the -COOH functional group.

Delocalization Energy

The energy associated with the spread of electrons across multiple atoms in a resonance structure, lowering the overall energy of the molecule.

Carbonate Ion

A polyatomic ion with the formula CO3^2-, involved in various chemical equilibria.

Nitrate Ion

A polyatomic ion with the formula NO3^-, which carries a negative charge.

Benzene

An aromatic compound with the formula C6H6, known for its resonance-stabilized structure.