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Ch.10 - Chemical Bonding I: The Lewis Model
Chapter 10, Problem 70

Draw the Lewis structure (including resonance structures) for methyl azide (CH3N3). For each resonance structure, assign formal charges to all atoms that have formal charge.

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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 use dots to represent valence electrons and lines to represent bonds. Understanding how to draw Lewis structures is essential for visualizing molecular geometry and predicting reactivity.
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Resonance Structures

Resonance structures are different ways of drawing the same molecule that illustrate the delocalization of electrons. They are used when a single Lewis structure cannot adequately represent the electron distribution in a molecule. The actual structure is a hybrid of these resonance forms, which helps in understanding the stability and reactivity of the molecule.
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Formal Charge

Formal charge is a theoretical charge assigned to an atom in a molecule, calculated based on the number of valence electrons, the number of bonds, and the number of lone electrons. It helps in determining the most stable Lewis structure by minimizing formal charges across the molecule. Assigning formal charges is crucial for evaluating resonance structures and understanding molecular stability.
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