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Resonance Definition

Chemistry Glossary Definition of Resonance

By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D., About.com

Two Lewis structures or electron dot diagrams for the nitrite ion in resonance.

Two Lewis structures or electron dot diagrams for the nitrite ion in resonance.

Ben Mills
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Definition: Term in chemistry used to explain properties of the octet rule when a single Lewis structure is inadequate. Resonance structure is an average of two of more Lewis structures which differ only in the position of their electrons. These species are said to exhibit resonance.

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