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Ch.8 - Basic Concepts of Chemical Bonding
Chapter 8, Problem 56

Based on Lewis structures, predict the ordering, from shortest to longest, of N¬O bond lengths in NO+, NO2-, and NO3-.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Lewis Structures

Lewis structures are diagrams that represent the bonding between atoms in a molecule and the lone pairs of electrons that may exist. They help visualize the arrangement of electrons and predict molecular geometry, which is crucial for understanding bond lengths. In the context of the question, drawing the Lewis structures for NO+, NO2-, and NO3- will reveal the number of bonds and electron pairs, influencing the bond lengths.
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Bond Order

Bond order is a concept that indicates the number of chemical bonds between a pair of atoms. It is calculated as the difference between the number of bonding and antibonding electrons divided by two. Higher bond orders generally correlate with shorter bond lengths due to increased electron density between the nuclei, which pulls them closer together. Understanding bond order is essential for predicting the relative lengths of N-O bonds in the given species.
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Resonance Structures

Resonance structures are different ways of drawing the same molecule that show the delocalization of electrons. In molecules like NO2- and NO3-, resonance contributes to the stability and bond characteristics of the molecule. The presence of resonance can lead to bond lengths that are intermediate between single and double bonds, affecting the overall bond length in the N-O bonds. Recognizing resonance is key to accurately predicting bond lengths in the given compounds.
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